Forged in Fire: The Art of Blacksmithing in the Appalachian Mountains

6 days

5 nights

15 meals

5B 5L 5D

Ripley, WV

At a Glance

With a hammer in hand and flames in your forge, create intricate pieces of art from wrought iron and steel. On this learning adventure, discover the age-old blacksmithing techniques like welding, punching, upsetting and swaging from expert instructors in the picturesque foothills of West Virginia. Use these newfound skills to create metal masterpieces of your own and set aglow your blacksmithing passions in this tranquil mountain town.

Activity Level

Easy Going

Minimal walking and standing on this program.

Small Group

Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 10 to 24 participants.

Best of all, you'll ...

Learn blacksmithing basics from top-notch professionals and hands-on demonstrations.
Complete beautiful art pieces to display for the entire center to admire in an open studio exhibition.
Explore the rustic West Virginia town of Ripley in the evenings on excursions throughout the city.

General Notes

The Retreat Difference: The unique experience at a Road Scholar Retreat includes opportunities for early morning exercise, interaction with the local community for insight into local life, an authentic farm-to-table or locally sourced meal, a live performance or event, and a single room to yourself for only $100 more (for many programs). Due to the nature of this program, listening devices are not available.

Featured Expert

All Experts

Peter Buchanan

Peter Buchanan is a local metal artist who lives and works in Bedford County, Virginia. He began blacksmithing in 1991 after being introduced to the craft through historical reenacting. Deeply impacted by the World Trade Center attacks on 9/11, he started doing metal sculpture. His current work, which focuses on spirituality and the inner person, is heavily influenced by both primitive and tribal art. Peter’s most recent exhibit was a two-artist show in February at Rivermont Studio in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Peter Buchanan

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6 days

5 nights

15 meals

5 B 5 L 5 D

DAY

1

Check-in, Program Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation

Ripley, WV

D

Cedar Lakes Conference Center

Activity note: Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m.

Afternoon: Program Registration, 3:00 p.m. After you have your room assignment, get your welcome packet containing your name-tag, up-to-date schedule that reflects any last-minute changes, and other important information. If you arrive late, this packet will be available at the Orientation meeting held at 6:30 p.m. in the Holt Lodge in the first floor meeting room.

Dinner: At the Lake View Dining Hall, from 5:00-6:00 p.m., we will enjoy a cafeteria-style dinner; beverage choices will include coffee, tea, water.

Evening: Orientation. 6:30 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone in the Holt Lodge first floor meeting room and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Blacksmithing requires long periods of standing and use of upper body strength during class. Minimal walking in workshop; high temperatures by the forge. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholar’s, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the full day ahead.

DAY

2

Classroom Introduction to Blacksmithing, Alpine Theatre Film

Ripley, WV

B,L,D

Cedar Lakes Conference Center

Activity note: Long periods of standing using upper body strength during class; high temperatures by the forge. Minimal walking; indoors and outdoors on retreat center grounds, level terrain. Driving is possible with parking close to the blacksmith shop. Getting on/off bus; short drive to town.

Breakfast: At the Lakeview Dining Hall, our cafeteria-style breakfast will be served from 7:30-8:15 a.m.

Morning: Meeting in the blacksmith shop, the instructor will begin with introductions and a lecture on the proper safety procedures that are involved with blacksmithing. Afterwards, we’ll enjoy a demonstration showing us how to create one of the projects for the week. Together as a class, we will begin with one design, possibly more if time permits, using contemporary and traditional forging and finishing techniques.

Lunch: At Lakeview Dining Hall, we will be welcomed with cafeteria-style lunch offered from 12:00-1:00 p.m.

Afternoon: Returning to Blacksmith Shop, we will restart the forges and continue work on our projects under the instructor’s guidance.

Dinner: Dining hall cafeteria-style dinner will be served from 5:00-6:00 p.m.

Evening: We’ll then meet at the Holt Lodge meeting room to enjoy evening entertainment beginning at 6:30 p.m.

DAY

3

Blacksmithing Lesson & Projects, Free Studio Time

Ripley, WV

B,L,D

Cedar Lakes Conference Center

Activity note: Working in the blacksmith shop.

Breakfast: Dining hall cafeteria-style breakfast will be offered from 7:30-8:15 a.m.

Morning: Meeting in the blacksmith shop, we will continue our projects, working towards completion. Students should be prepared to ask questions and share ideas and challenges.

Lunch: Dining hall cafeteria-style lunch will be offered from 12:00-1:00 p.m.

Afternoon: Returning to the blacksmith shop, we will continue working on our projects.

Dinner: Dining hall cafeteria-style dinner will be served from 5:00-6:00 p.m.

Evening: At leisure. Should you wish to use it, the blacksmith shop will be open for studio time with the instructor available to assist with projects.

DAY

4

Hammering Techniques, Appalachian Moonshine Distillery

Ripley, WV

B,L,D

Cedar Lakes Conference Center

Activity note: Long periods of standing using upper body strength during class; high temperatures by the forge. Minimal walking; indoors and outdoors on retreat center grounds, level terrain. Driving is possible with parking close to the blacksmith shop. Getting on/off bus; short drive each way to distillery.

Breakfast: Dining hall cafeteria-style breakfast will be offered from 7:30-8:15 a.m.

Morning: The instructor will begin the morning by demonstrating the use of advance hammering techniques, joinery techniques and how to estimate materials. We will learn to expand our skills by working smarter not harder. We will then practice these techniques on a new project of choice to sharpen these skills.

Lunch: Dining hall cafeteria-style lunch will be offered from 12:00-1:00 p.m.

Afternoon: Afterwards, we will then continue to work on our projects under the supervision of our instructor.

Dinner: Dining hall cafeteria-style dinner will be offered form 5:00-6:00 p.m.

Evening: After meeting in the lodge, at 6:30 p.m., we’ll set out via bus for a field trip to the authentic Appalachian Moonshine Distillery located less than two miles a short drive from the conference center. Upon arrival, we’ll be treated to a lecture given by the owner of the distillery on the history of moonshine in West Virginia. Our expert will show us around the distillery while providing commentary on the process and, once our exploration is complete, we’ll be invited to sample the products during a tasting. We’ll then return to the retreat center.

DAY

5

Blacksmithing Demonstration, Finish Projects, Open Studio

Ripley, WV

B,L,D

Cedar Lakes Conference Center

Activity note: Working in the blacksmith shop.

Breakfast: Dining hall cafeteria-style breakfast will be served from 7:30-8:15 a.m.

Morning: Beginning with an illuminating demonstration given by our instructor, we’ll then then have time to work on our projects.

Lunch: Dining hall cafeteria-style lunch will be served from 12:00-1:00 p.m.

Afternoon: As we finish up our projects, we’ll get started on setting up our display for the evening’s open studio event.

Dinner: In the side dining room of Lake View Dining Hall, from 5:00-6:00 p.m., we will have a cafeteria-style dinner together where we will celebrate the successes of the week. Share some of your favorite experiences from the program with new Road Scholar friends.

Evening: We will then proceed as a group to the Craft House to begin our walk through all the open studios where instructors will give brief talks on their class activities and students will display their projects. Be sure to prepare for check-out and departures in the morning.

DAY

6

Program Concludes

Ripley, WV

B,L

Activity note: Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m.

Breakfast: Dining hall cafeteria-style breakfast, will be offered from 7:30-8:15 a.m.

Morning: As we come to class for the last session, we will put the finishing touches on any unfinished items. Our instructor will offer further ideas and projects to continue our blacksmithing craft.

Lunch: Farewell dining hall cafeteria-style lunch, will be offered from 12:00-1:00 p.m. Bagged lunches to go will be available upon request. This concludes our program.

Afternoon: We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys!

Meals

15 Meals

5 Breakfasts

5 Lunches

5 Dinners

The following choices may be available when requested in advance: Low Fat, Gluten Free, Vegetarian, Low Salt

Lodging

Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.

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Oct 06, 2019 - Oct 11, 2019

Apr 28, 2019 - May 03, 2019
Sep 08, 2019 - Sep 13, 2019
Oct 06, 2019 - Oct 11, 2019

Cedar Lakes Conference Center

5 nights

Ripley

Most Road Scholar groups at the Cedar Lakes Conference Center stay in the Holt Lodge, a graceful timber-and-fieldstone structure that echoes traditional building styles. The lodge’s motel-style rooms include two double beds, a sitting area, separate desk, and bathroom with bath and shower. Comfortable chairs around the fireplace lobby provide a cozy spot for evening gatherings. Recreational activities vary with the season, but may include swimming, hiking, horseshoes, and miniature golf. Pathways on the bucolic 450-acre campus invite strolling and taking in views of the surrounding hills. Good to know: Rooms have Wi-Fi, telephone & cable TV. Housekeeping once a week.

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3 Reviews

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5 Average

Annette

Class of 2018

Abingdon, MD

This reviewer did not give a star rating. 8 months ago

The instructor and his assistant were great. The atmosphere was welcoming and relaxing. I enjoyed getting to know them, as well as some of the other participants. I enjoyed myself immensely. The room in the lodge was fine - cleaning staff were efficient and early. The lunch and dinner food wasn't that great, except for the final dinner, but you could work around that with salads and fruit. Breakfasts were pretty good. My only real complaint is that this class was described as "easygoing" - it had an identical description to the watercolor class! I assumed there would be machinery that would make the work easier. Nope. This class required a lot of standing and physical work, as it was traditional blacksmithing. Nevertheless, I had a blast. I was able to keep up reasonably well, and I came home with some neat little pieces to give as gifts.

Bob

Class of 2008

New Windsor, NY

(5) 8 months ago

Taking this program introduced me to the trade and craft of forging that preceded our modern era of manufacturing. Day after day I grew to appreciate the patience, determination and skill sets needed to hammer out metal into works of practical and artistic value. I left with pieces that will always remind me of that experience and effort.

Roger

Class of 2018

Kalamazoo, MI

This reviewer did not give a star rating. 8 months ago

We were very pleased with most aspects of our adventure. As a first trip we enjoyed the facilities, the class, and the friends we made. Cedar Lakes is a wonderful facility to host Roads Scholar programs , and should be used in the future.The class was hard work but enjoyable and the learning experience we expected. The instructor, Peter Buchanan, was very knowledgeable and helpful. He went out of his way to share his experience and make our time very rewarding. My only criticisms are the quality of the food in the cafeteria and the rating of the program. The food was on a level with school lunchrooms. It lacked variety and at times was bland. The good part of the food was the salad and fruit bar. I love love loved the spinach/strawberry/walnut salad. The physical rating of the class should by no means be low level. Granted there was little walking but the stress of working with hot forges and hammering hot metal was more than low level/leisure. All told, we had a very enjoyable time and learned a great deal on a subject we knew nothing about. The program is worth doing again and we would highly recommend Roads Scholar and Cedar Lakes to anyone.