The Dover Blacksmith Shop 2004
On March 22
a meeting was held with GDHS President Ron Botterbusch, Project Foreman Ken Brown,
and Draftsman
Robert Forrey. A discussion point was the need to empty the Spahr springhouse items
that were in front of the wood for
the Blacksmith Shop so that the lumber could be graded to determine what we have and
what is needed. If wood was needed then we would evaluate other wood present on
the Spahr property.
A review of the preliminary draft for the Blacksmith Shop
produced the following observations.
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The original bldg was 20’ x 30’ with the foundation a mix
of small stone and cement.
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The addition was 16W x 32L with a foundation of
shale rock and cement.
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The forge had a cement base and a brick column.
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There was a
cupola on top of the original bldg.
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The roof was metal standing seam.
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The original floor was stone and then a wooden floor was laid down at a
later date.
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The glass has the original panes. It was decided
that the GDHS would rebuild and refurbish the window sash
and glaze the windows. Possibly use Plexiglas on outside of window frame to
protect the old glass.
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It was determined that we needed the following to proceed.
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People to help us grade the lumber; moving the lumber from the barn to
the grading site; loading the lumber on trailers and trucks if necessary. We will
also need a generator for power to operate the saws.
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Members who have building experience to help re-build the building – working
hours will be some evenings and maybe a day on a weekend.
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Blacksmith tools and equipment to be put in building for display such as an
anvil, vices, etc.
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The original cupola if possible or someone to build us one
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Members to remove the rest of the Spahr springhouse items from the barn –
Gayle Heagy will make determination for Archives - Joyce will document the
items. Need members to help move the items from the barn to a designated
site.
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Donation of nails, screws and other hardware. Members know any hardware
companies?
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Donation or a good price on the standing seam roof.
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Donation of stone for floor?
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Build the toolbox as shown in the Blacksmith shop pictures or have the
original one found and donated.
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Plexiglas to be used on the outside of the building – donation?
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Anyone willing to be a gopher or help with the project?
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On
Saturday, September 25th, 2004,
nineteen volunteers removed, graded,
de-nailed and cut the wood for the Blacksmith Shop that was stored in the barn
since May of 2004. The wood was relocated to our storage building ready for us to
re-build the Blacksmith Shop in early spring 2005. We wish to thank the
following volunteers for all their help that day: Lisa, Bob and Chad Byerts; Jan Eisenhart;
Susan Forrey; Melanie, Martin and Andrew Green; Lori and Jeff Koch; Joyce and Larry Law; Madelyn and Harry
Shermeyer; Grace Spahr Snelbaker; Randy and Judy Worley and Paula and Ted
Zeigler.