Years ago it was a career field as essential as the doctor or teacher.

Not only did the horses need to be shod, but tools needed to be made and maintained for everything from transportation to logging.

Now you have a chance to learn the skills of a blacksmith with two course offerings from the Curran Homestead Living History Farm and Museum in Orrington.

Director Bruce Bowden says the basic 6-week introductory blacksmithing course will be held Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 9pm and it’s open to six participants beginning Tuesday evening October 22.

Bowden says an intermediate Blacksmithing Course is also planned starting Monday, October 21 and will meet Mondays and Wednesdays from 6pm to 9pm for 6 weeks.

Pat Roy of Belfast will teach the course.

Roy is a part-time blacksmith and metalsmith. Much of his creative output is functional or artistic iron, and more recently, jewelry and artistic objects in copper or steel sheet. He has been working with metal for eight years and taken several classes at the New England School of Metalwork in Auburn.

Pre-registration is required and is first-come, first-served by cash, check payable to The Curran Homestead, or credit card (MasterCard or Visa only). Contact Irv Marsters, Curran Homestead Treasurer, at 745-4426, irv@bangorlettershop.com, or by mail at 99 Washington Street, Bangor, Maine 04401.

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