Christena M.

Forging the Past: Blacksmithing in Cape Breton Communities

Christena M.
Strait Regional Centre for Education Heritage Fair
Port Hawkesbury, NS

The thesis for my project was, “while the role of the village blacksmith has completely changed from what it used to be, blacksmithing remains an important part of the heritage of rural Cape Breton, and all of Canada.” Inspired by the role of the village blacksmith, it looks at how blacksmiths created and repaired items, how they created jobs for young people, and how they created a community where all people were welcome. It also describes the history of blacksmithing and how the trade helped towns grow stronger and how it helped industries develop. Two highlights from my project were an interview with John MacDonald, the last master blacksmith in all of Cape Breton, and my own journey of spending time with my father and learning the trade from him. The project also highlights tools and how blacksmithing continues to be an important trade and art.

What sources and evidence did you consult for your project? What different perspectives did they provide on your topic?

Some of the primary sources I used for this project were: my father, who is a blacksmith, and is teaching me how to blacksmith, and my grandfather who is also a blacksmith that I interviewed. He works as the village blacksmith animator for the Highland Village. Finally, I interviewed John MacDonald, who is the last master blacksmith in Cape Breton. I also used books such as the Village Blacksmith by Aldren A. Watson.

What is the historical significance of your topic?

The historical significance of my project is how the trade of blacksmithing has evolved over time, and how it shaped the communities, and industries around it. The village blacksmith was at the heart of communities, because of how crucial their role was in people’s lives. The changes that took place over time for blacksmiths were how needed their skills and abilities were, and how their services were slowly replaced by machines.

Why did you choose this topic? 

I chose this topic because of my personal connection to it. My great-grandfather was a blacksmith, and my grandfather and father are blacksmiths. I also chose this project because I am learning the art of blacksmithing from my father. I was interested in learning about the historical significance of it.