Blacksmith Shop
A 44-sided shop built circa 1935 to hold tools from local blacksmith shops and keep traditional craft visible.
A Working Shop of Many Sides
The Blacksmith Shop was built circa 1935 after Henry Ford’s blacksmith shop in Dearborn captured public attention. David and Stephen Boothe answered in their own way, creating a shop with 44 sides and 44 corners and filling it with tools gathered from five defunct blacksmith shops in the area. The walls and work spaces show the tools used to repair wheels, shoe horses, and keep everyday equipment in working order. The Friends of Boothe Park restored the shop and made the forge operational again by restoring the bellows and extending the chimney.
What to Look For
- The unusual 44-sided building form
- Forge, bellows, chimney, and working demonstration area
- Tools used for repair, horseshoeing, and jobbing work
- Stacks of horseshoes and dense workshop displays
- Traditional craft connections for school programs
Preserving the Blacksmith Shop
Preserving working spaces like the Blacksmith Shop keeps traditional craft and local history tangible for visitors. The Friends of Boothe Park rely on volunteers, members, and donors to care for the buildings, collections, gardens, and stories throughout the park.