The Blacksmith.
A profession that is one of the oldest in the world, dating back over a millennium, it is rarely seen in action in the modern-day world of today. However, they are still around, and here in Shenandoah County, in the hidden gem of Fort Valley, resides Dennis Clem, owner and founder of Cedar Creek Blacksmithing LLC.
How does one even know where to start the ancient artisanal skill of Blacksmithing? Dennis’s story begins over five years ago while researching history of the Clem family. He discovered that he had an ancestor, A.W. Clem, who served with the 12th Virginia Calvary during the Civil War as a blacksmith. A.W. Clem’s son, and as well as Dennis’s Great Grandfather, Richard Clem, were also blacksmiths in the Shenandoah Valley, but after Richard, the trail of blacksmiths in his family just suddenly came to a halt. Being at a crossroads in his life at the time, Dennis decided that he would pick up the craft again and “keep the trade going” through his family line. He started by taking a few classes in West Virginia on how to blacksmith, and shortly afterwards Dennis began his own business in 2018, naming it Cedar Creek Blacksmithing, after his childhood home living near the Cedar Creek Battlefield in southern Frederick County. He started out with his great grandfather’s forge, which until recently, he was using to blacksmith. “Even though I didn’t know my great grandfather, the forge was an item that made me feel connected to him and those before him who were also blacksmiths. Blacksmithing is something I really enjoy doing now, and in many ways, it keeps history alive.”
Dennis Clem at work
Starting out with his business, “I was making a lot of hooks in the beginning” he said, “and would experiment on how to improve items such as trivets and bottle openers.” Proving that blacksmithing can also be artistic in addition to practical, he adds decorative metal leaf motifs on wall hooks, and even freestanding roses and daylilies, making the perfect long-lasting gift for a loved one. “I also can make hardware for just about anything one may need. I have just recently finished all the custom made hardware for a new horse barn that is being built here in Shenandoah County--down to the last horse- shaped door hinge.” Historical reproductions are something else Cedar Creek Blacksmithing LLC has to offer, anything from knives and cookware for the hearth.
Reaching out beyond his business and into the greater community, Dennis also volunteers at historic sites and with preservation groups such as Cedar Creek Battlefield Preservation (Foundation?), Belle Grove Plantation and Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation. “There are occasionally kids camps, or field trips at these historic sites and I enjoy teaching the next generation about blacksmithing.” Working at one of these events a young child came up to Dennis and inquired why he was blacksmithing, and continued to tell him that his father told him that there was no use for people like Dennis anymore in today’s world. That was really concerning for Clem, he stated that; “This is one of the reasons why I want to come out and demonstrate to the public, as an educational interpreter. We live in a world where we can essentially order everything online with a click of the button. Fewer things are made by hand and more things are machine made. While products made from a machine can be wonderful and keep the cost of goods down, it doesn’t make up for when or if we will ever need to know this knowledge by hand. We are losing our connection to our past in many ways, and I find it rather concerning.”
One of the most common misconceptions about being a Blacksmith isokay asked if he works on horses. “I have never worked on a horse in my life,” he replied. He goes on to say that historically speaking, while a Blacksmith could make and shoe horses if it was necessary, it was primarily a farrier’s job to properly shoe a horse. “A farrier was the traveling veterinarian of the day and could properly diagnose a horse to what type of shoe would be needed from a blacksmith, and then they would mold and tamper with the shoe to make it fit.” Dennis explains. Today blacksmiths and farriers operate in very much the same manner as they did a hundred years ago.
Working out of the blacksmith shop that he built last year on the small farmette that he shares with his wife and their two daughters, he explains the future of his business. “The girls are still too young to help much, and it is extremely dangerous, but sometimes I will let them push the handle to the blower that pushes air up from my forge to keep the coals hot enough to heat the metal at the right temperatures.” His wife also helps in the forge, especially if there is a job requiring a second pair of hands. “My wife was out here over the winter holding the ends of tie rods being made for a historic barn in Maryland, while I was heating one end and hammering out an eyelet to 16-foot 1 inch steel bars.” It was work that was mandatory to have a second person in helping. Having the family involved in some way when they can is very important to him, as it ensures that the knowledge of being a blacksmith will move into the next generation in the Clem family and hopefully stay in the family this time.
Cedar Creek Blacksmithing is a true example of a home grown, local, family business in our beautiful community
For more information please visit www.cedarcreekblacksmithing.com
Or contact via email ccblacksmith2018@gmail.com
Comments