Blacksmithing on the Prairie

In 1993, the museum’s staff walked into a block and frame shop that Ralph Chesebro, A.B.’s son, 
had walked out of for the last time in the 1930s. Oral history interviews were recorded with Ralph’s family, the shop itself was tirelessly drawn to scale, photographed, and videoed;  the contents of the shop have been moved; each of 5500 objects has been marked and accessioned into the museum's collections; research on the Chesebro's, Saunemin and area blacksmiths has been conducted; and –within the walls of the museum-- the shop itself was partially reconstructed. Enjoy the interactives, see the wagon equipment, and view the tools of the blacksmith trade in this comprehensive exhibit.

This exhibit is temporarily closed for updates and maintenance.