The success of last season’s debut Virtual Lecture via the Zoom platform has led to a two-part series of lectures scheduled for Spring 2022. The focus will be on topics related to Blacksmith Joseph Vagg and his wife, Nellie. Mr. Vagg’s Blacksmith Shop is a popular stop on the Museum’s campus tour. Limited seating will be available to view these lectures at the Cobblestone Church. Registration fees benefit the Cobblestone Society & Museum, a 501c3 organization.
Lecture 1: Tuesday, April 5, 7 – 8:15 pm EDT
The importance of Mr. Vagg’s livelihood for the residents of Childs, N.Y. and neighboring towns will come to light when guest speaker Jonathan Bernard, an American Civil War re-enactor and hobbyist Blacksmith, presents an interactive overview of blacksmithing and the manufacturing of metal products in the U.S. between the 1700s and 1800s. Additionally, this presentation will cover the influence of the American Civil War on the evolution and use of the traveling forge.
Jonathan began his training in 2000 as a volunteer Blacksmith at the Storrowtown Village & Museum in West Springfield, Mass. In 2011, he became an ACW reenactor with the 9th Massachusetts Light Artillery (Bigelow’s Battery). With them, he traveled to various locations across the New England states to present blacksmithing in schools and at living history programs. In 2014, he moved to the Rochester area of New York and became a reenactor with the 1st New York Light Artillery, Battery L (Reynolds’ Battery). Now Jonathan presents with the aid of a working traveling forge wagon. This forge is one of only three working replicas in the USA reenacting community.
Visit http://www.reynoldsbattery.org for a schedule of events and opportunities to see Jonathan and the replica forge.
Registration is now available for this Zoom event. (A Zoom invitation will be sent one week prior to event.)
Sponsors:
Rochester Arc & Flame Center, 125 FedEx Way, Rochester NY, (585) 349-7110, https://www.rocafc.com/
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Pazasis, Members
Newstead Equestrian Center, 7579 Maple Rd, Akron NY, 716-542-3064, http://www.newsteadequestrian.com/
Bloom Wellness, 48 S. Main St., Churchville, NY (585) 299-7051, http://www.bloomwellnessroc.com/
Royal Equine Veterinary Services, Lockport, NY (Dr. Jeanne Best & Dr. Vicki Bentley), 716-629-8384, http://www.besthorsevet.com/
Registration: Virtual Lecture: Blacksmithing
Tuesday, April 5, 2022 7:00 – 8:15 pm EDT
General Admission: $5
Patron Supporter: $10
Angel Supporter: $15
Sponsorship opportunities are available for $20 or more. Contact Sue Bonafini for details to become a sponsor for this lecture series at: volunteers@cobblestonemuseum.org
Limited seating will be available at the Cobblestone Church for those who prefer to watch this Zoom presentation on the Museum’s large screen TV. Call 585-589-9013 to reserve your seat with a credit card payment or to confirm check payment mailing details.