HABA
Houston
Area
Blacksmith's
Association

7418 Branch Point
Houston, TX 77095-2649

Home

Membership

Group Email

2004
Board of Directors


S&S Reliant Blacksmith
On Line
Resources

ABANA
ABANA Demonstrator Guideline

North Texas
Blacksmiths Association

Balcones Forge

Louisiana Metalsmiths
Association

Maps
 

To Preserve and Promote the Art and Craft of Blacksmithing Through Education.

Welcome to HABAIRON.ORG, the website of the Houston Area Blacksmith's Association, the Internet resource of choice for the blacksmith in and around Houston, Texas. We have the technology!

October 30 and 31, 2004

“Smithing in Texas”
at
Barrington Living History Farm

“It was here that on March 1, 1836, delegates elected from each municipality in Texas convened in an unfinished frame building. While the forces of General Santa Anna laid siege to the Alamo, the Convention of 1836 declared Texas' independence from Mexico, wrote a new constitution which established the Republic of Texas and organized an interim government.”

Saturday Smiths at Barrington Farm Sunday Smiths at Barrington Farm

Barrington Living History Farm

On October 30 and 31, Barrington Living History Farm is inviting HABA members to the farm for a weekend of forging. The purpose is to forge additional utilitarian items primarily for use at two outdoor cooking areas, one at the main house and the other at the slave quarters. These items will, like similar items used 168 years ago, make life on Barrington Farm easier for those working it and more educational for the visitors who come to learn more about life in early Texas. Period clothing is desired but not required. Click for the WOB Press Release Smithing in Texas

The Wish List

The following items are on the wish list of the Barrington Farm staff. Pictures and a conceptual drawing are provided in the download file :It_was_here.doc.

  1. Hand forged chain for use around the cooking fires and butchering
  2. At least one pair of ember tongs.
  3. A popcorn popper.
  4. A whisk.
  5. A vegetable chopper.
  6. A dough scraper.
  7. An assortment of skewers with holder.
  8. A trivet.
  9. A grill.
  10. A mulling iron.
  11. A pot lifter.
  12. A hair curler.
  13. A standing crane.
  14. Assorted ‘S’ and crane hooks.
  15. One or two outdoor fire pit cranes for use in making soap, boiling water for butchering and cooking. There are two concepts being considered. One concept is to use a fulcrum with a swivel. This might be installed at the slave quarters. Another would be an iron crane for use at the main house.

click on thumbnail to enlarge......

PA300217b.jpg

PA300223b.jpg

PA300224b.jpg

PA300232b.jpg

PA300234b.jpg

PA310006b.jpg

PA310007b.jpg

PA310008b.jpg

PA310013b.jpg

PA310015b.jpg

PA310051b.jpg

PA310052b.jpg

PA310053b.jpg

PA310054b.jpg

PA310056b.jpg
The sketches below are from the book Hooks, Rings and Other Things by Frank T. Barnes.

Sheet_Comp-1.jpg

Sheet_Comp-2.jpg

The Plan
HABA members from the region are invited to bring their forges, tools and stock to Barrington Farm on the weekend of October 30 and 31, 2004, and work on an item or items of their choice. A few of these projects lend themselves to working in teams.....like making chain, the standing crane, or the fire pit cranes. The list above is not exclusive so additional items are welcome. Differences in design other than those shown in the pictures below are welcome. Duplication of pieces are welcome. And, the expectation is not to complete the wish list in one weekend. Hopefully there is enough on the list to give every skill level a bit of a challenge.

The Public
The public is invited to this event and a large turnout is expected. Since this is a work weekend, forge welding and heavy forging is required. This means special precautions will need to be taken to make sure no member of the public is in harms way while this work is being done. One solution is to rope off a large area, keep the public well away from heavy forging and forge welding and use dedicated interpreters to describe to the public what is being done.

Insurance Issues
Only HABA members in good standing will be allowed to handle tools at this event. This means only HABA members may forge or work as forge helpers. Personal sales to the public are not permitted.

Safety Issues
All people working in the forging area are required to wear safety glasses with side shields. No Forge Welding is permitted except in an approved area. This means that a piece started in a non-welding area that requires a forge weld will need to be taken to the welding area for completion.

Park Camping
Washington on the Brazos State Park has no camping facilities of any kind. However an exception will be made for tent camping and RV parking for this event. Tent camping and RV parking will be made available in and around the Barrington Farm Parking lot.

NOTE: Tents and RV’s may be set up only after the park closes and the tent and RV setups need to be removed before the park opens. Open flames of any kind are not permitted at camp sites.

Area Lodging
The following motels are available in the area:
  • Best Western - 936-870-4100
  • Super 8 - 936-825-7775
  • Cedar Creek - 936-825-8000
  • Vanguard Motel - 936-825-6497

Questions and Comments
Period clothing is desired but not required. Please direct any questions or comments to Dave Koenig at: 280-855-2869 or tudorforge@sbcglobal.net .

Family, Friends, Relatives and In-laws
Washington on the Brazos is the birthplace of the Republic of Texas and has a lot to see and do. Here is a summary:

  • 1. Independence Hall and Washington Townsite - New signs and trails

    •    The story of independence and the beginning of the Texas nation
       New trails and exhibits
       Unique living history programs
  • 2. Visitor Services Complex - New
       Visitor Center, with new interactive exhibits, park headquarters, and a gift shop
       Conference Center, featuring a full-service restaurant and a group meeting facility
       Education Center, with classroom space
  • 3. Star of the Republic Museum - All new exhibits. For more information call 936/878-2214.
       The museum houses a collection of more than 20,000 artifacts and depicts the colorful saga of the Republic period through modern exhibits, audio-visual presentations, and education programs
       1,000 square foot Discovery Room providing interactive displays, involving the visitors through multi-sensory elements and activities
       Seasonal exhibitions, special events, and interpretive demonstrations illustrating early 19th century life regularly scheduled
    Research library consisting of over 3,000 volumes, journals, and magazines
  • 4. Barrington Living History Farm - Recreated 19th Century Farm.
       The home of Anson Jones, the last president of the Republic of Texas
       A working farm of the 1850s with costumed staff and period livestock
       Seasonal special events focusing on farm life

How to Get There
Via the web: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/washingt/hist.htm

Via the Road:
From DFW/Waco take I-35 to Highway 6 South. Come down Highway 6 South to Navasota. From Navasota take Highway 105 West 7 miles and turn left on FM 1155 to Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site.

From Houston take Highway 290 West to Highway 6 at Hempstead. Take Highway 6 North to Navasota. From Navasota, take Highway 105 West 7 miles and turn left on FM 1155 to Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site.

From San Antonio go I-10 East to Highway 77 North, then take 290 East to Brenham. From Brenham, take Highway 105 East 14 miles and turn right on FM 912 to Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site.

When & Where :

Saturday & Sunday, October 30-31 :

The schedule looks like this:

  • 8:00 am : Sign in and setup
  • 8:30 am : HABA Meeting and Announcements
  • 9:00 am : Begin work
  • 6 pm : Conclude


Where :

Barrington Living History Farm at Washington on the Brazos State Park

What to Bring

Bring safety glasses with side shields. This is a requirement!

Bring a chair to sit in.

Period clothing is desired but not required.

HABA Members are invited to bring their forges and tools.

You do not have to be a member to attend our meetings! Bring a Guest!

Bring your Membership Dues if you want to work at a forge and are not a current Member !

Minors are welcome but must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

click on thumbnail to enlarge......

PA300190b.jpg

PA300191b.jpg

PA300192b.jpg

PA300193b.jpg

PA300197b.jpg

PA300202b.jpg

PA300203b.jpg

PA300210b.jpg

PA300212b.jpg

PA300214b.jpg

PA300215b.jpg

PA300216b.jpg

PA300229b.jpg

PA300231b.jpg

PA310001b.jpg

PA310005b.jpg

PA310009b.jpg

PA310013b.jpg

PA310028b.jpg

PA310031b.jpg

PA310056b.jpg

Notes about this Website

This website is Under Development and will continue to evolve for HABA Members.

The use any of the material from this site is at your own risk. All persons associated with this material disclaim any responsibility or liability for damages or injuries resulting from the use or application of this information. They assume no responsibility or liability for the accuracy, fitness, proper design, safety or safe use of any information presented here.

Please send all feedback/correction/omission/suggestions to your webmaster, Richard Boswell .
Enjoy!

http://www.habairon.org
http://www.habairon.com
Last updates were on Nov 02, 2004

© Copyright 2004 by HABA. All rights reserved.