Jeffrey Miller, a master blacksmith and historian from Waldoboro, will demonstrate his trade at the Chapman Hall House on Saturday, June 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mr. Miller will be working at his 18th Century temporary forge, which he built, based on original forges of this type.

During his over 40 years at the trade, Mr. Miller has worked as the head blacksmith at two museums: Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, Mass. and Fort at No. 4 in Charlestown, N.H. His museum-quality pieces have been purchased by a number of individuals and museums across the United States and Canada.

While at Chapman Hall House, Mr. Miller will forge a number of small items and share with the public insights into the daily work of blacksmiths as recorded in their account books and day books. According to Mr. Miller, the blacksmith’s work pattern changed according to the season, and he will show samples of items that the smith might make for his customers.

Blacksmiths would have been sought after in a new settlement.  Some blacksmiths specialized as white-smiths, wheel-wrights, armorers, and farriers.  A blacksmith who could make plows and axes as well as oven peels and andirons, cooking forks and knives, and also be able to repair firearms was an important tradesman in any colonial community.

Nathaniel Chapman and his family came to Damariscotta from Ipswich, Massachusetts to practice his trade of house-wright in the growing mid-coast settlements.  His home, dated to 1754, is the oldest house still standing in Damariscotta.  The house is open to visitors every Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.; closing for the season in early October.  Admission is charged to tour the house, $5 per person, children 16 and under free.

Chapman-Hall House, located at the head of Main Street, 270 Main Street, Damariscotta, is one of three historic sites under the care of the Lincoln County Historical Association.  This June, July and August, each of the LCHA historic sites will be offering a week-long summer program for children.  For complete details visit the LCHA website and click on Summer with the Past. 

The Lincoln County Historical Association is a nonprofit organization that provides stewardship for the 1754 Chapman-hall House, the 1761 Pownalborough Courthouse in Dresden, and the 1811 Old Jail and Museum in Wiscasset.  For more information about the Lincoln County Historical Association, visit www.lincolncountyhistory.com.