A few shots of the incredible iron works throughout the city. Above, middle is our guide, Kay, should you decide to take the tour. She was so informative and infused the tour with colorful historical facts. We give this one high marks!
Hello friends, how is your Wednesday going in this hopeful month of April? Are you just waiting to start your summer garden and/or vegetable patch? We were in Charleston in March and, with the weather they get at this time, their flowers and foliage were sprouting all over the place. Do you find that your photos can't quite capture the essence of what you see with your eyes? I took many photos but, some don't seem to offer the beauty that was in the present moment then. But, in any case, we did pull out a few that give you a glimpse of the unending gardens and gates. The history of iron work in Charleston is full of wonderfully interesting stories. One of the huge takeaways was the story of a man named Philip Simmons, who worked as a blacksmith at the early age of 13. His work is showcased in over five hundred pieces of ornamental wrought iron gates, fences, balconies and window grills. His more elaborate designs included animals and trees. His work is especially notable in Stolls Alley and we can attest that it is worthy of a "stroll" through that particular area.
Some of the historical notes offered by our guide, Kay, is that most of the ironwork forged for homes during the civil war were taken down and given to the cause. This is fascinating to know as well as the difference between forged iron and cast iron. Forged iron is done by heating the iron to extraordinary temperatures to then be able to bend into the desired shape. Whereas, cast iron is produced using molds to create the desired effect. We appreciate both, however, we love the unique detail of the forged works and the physical work necessary to create a design. Lastly, just to mention something: the shop where Philip Simmons apprenticed under was that of Peter Simmons (no relation). But, Peter Simmons would learn the trade from his father, who had been a slave. And, many African men skilled in iron work were brought to America as slaves.
This tour was very moving and left us with an impression of somber and heartfelt gratitude when considering the men who came, not as free men, to work to make beautiful things that we see today. Knowing, learning and understand history, whether it be good or bad, makes one a little more compassionate to the past. Another thought to share before I sign off is that our guide gave us a glimpse into the past regarding the brickwork down in Charleston. We were actually in Stolls Alley and she pointed out a few bricks in the wall with finger imprints of small children who would have stacked the clay bricks for firing. The indented prints were so small and caused an emotional stir to think of how life for these little children would have been.
I hope you enjoyed some photos of our iron work tour. Thank you so much for taking time to read a little today...Jeanine
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