The Michigan Iron Industry Museum will host "Artisans at the Forge" on its grounds Saturday, Aug. 6, and Sunday, Aug. 7. This traditional arts and crafts event will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Admission is free.

Settlers on the Marquette Iron Range, and who worked at the Carp River Forge, brought many skills such as blacksmithing and leatherworking, which will be demonstrated at the event.

"This event will capture the sights, sounds and smells of 19th and early 20th century enterprise," said museum historian Troy Henderson. "Visitors can watch active blacksmiths, bladesmiths and leatherworking on the museum grounds."

Costumed craftsmen and women will include bladesmiths Dan and Deborah Choszyk of Champion, blacksmith Gordon Gearhart of Marquette, leatherworker and candle maker Kelly and Jenner Levely of Gladstone, and blacksmith William Collier of Gaylord.

Items available for purchase will include knives, knife sheaths, holsters, bags, straps, purses and candles.

"The demonstrations will include interpretation about their trades as well," said Henderson. "They will not only be working on their crafts, but they will be available to answer questions as visitors observe their work in progress."

The event also will include interpretive tours of the Carp River Forge historic site on the museum grounds.

The museum is located on the historic site of the Carp River Forge, the first iron manufactory in the Lake Superior region. It operated from 1848-1855 and produced wrought iron from the Jackson iron mine in Negaunee. Iron from the forge was shipped to the lower lakes and made into nails, boiler plate, ordnance, wire, bar iron, bolts, fine tacks and iron for ship construction.

The museum entrance is located on U.S. 41 East, a mile west of Junction M-35, in Negaunee Township.

The Michigan Iron Industry Museum is one of 11 nationally accredited museums administered by the Michigan History Center. For more information call 906-475-7857 or visit www.michigan.gov/ironindustrymuseum.

The Michigan History Center is part of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Its museum and archival programs foster curiosity, enjoyment and inspiration rooted in Michigan's stories. It includes the Michigan History Museum, 10 regional museums, Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve, and the Archives of Michigan. Learn more at www.michigan.gov/michiganhistory.

Contact: Troy Henderson, 906-475-7857