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Welcome to the
Purpose
Purpose
This site was established to provide the public with information about our group and keep members up-to-date on events.
Located in Eastern Kansas, the Free State Blacksmiths Club is a non-profit organization of amateur and professional blacksmith artists and craftsmen. Our focus is to share knowledge, educate, provide instruction, and promote the craft.
Check out our calendar on the Events page to see when we're meeting. Guests are welcome!
We are an affiliate of the Artist-Blacksmith Association of North America.
About US
About US
The Free State Blacksmiths Club was founded in 2013. We are a group of professional and hobby blacksmiths of all ages and skill levels in Eastern Kansas. We typically meet on the 3rd Saturday of the month for a club meeting and hammer-in. Bring a project to work on or just watch and learn as others work.
We strive to provide a demonstration of a skill or project along with a hammer-in, where members bringing their own projects to work on in the company of other smiths, at every meeting.
Some members bring their own portable forging setup and tools while others use what is provided by the meeting host.
Our members are always eager to share their knowledge and skill with others.
Come meet us at one of our next meetings or events! Find out where we’ll be by visiting the Events page or joining our Facebook Group.
Projects & Events we've been involved with
Projects & Events we've been involved with
Anderson County Flywheelers Gas Engine and Tractor Show (Garnett, KS) (2024 - current)
Anderson County Flywheelers Gas Engine and Tractor Show (Garnett, KS) (2024 - current)
The 4th Annual Anderson County Flywheelers Antique Tractor & Engine Show will be held from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on October 3-4, 2025 at North Lake Garnett.
Prepare to enjoy a weekend of history, delicious food, and fun! Admission is FREE!! Friday will be education day, and everyone is welcome. The tractor parade will be held on Friday and Saturday, and there will be fun for all ages throughout the weekend. Our club will have handmade items available for sale and members will be providing blacksmithing demonstrations throughout the weekend.
Power of the Past (Ottawa, KS) (2014 - current)
Power of the Past (Ottawa, KS) (2014 - current)
The 30th Annual Power of the Past Antique Engine & Tractor Show will be held from 8am - 4pm on September 12th through 14th, 2025 at Forest Park, 302 North Locust, Ottawa, KS.
The Power of the Past Antique Engine and Tractor Association’s mission is to preserve the past, bring back the memories of days gone by, and create a learning experience for younger generations through demonstrations of equipment at various events throughout the year
Our club will have handmade items available for sale and members will be providing blacksmithing demonstrations throughout the weekend.
create/include slideshow of pics
Black Jack Battlefield Memorial Park Gate (Baldwin City, KS) (2022 - 2023)
Black Jack Battlefield Memorial Park Gate (Baldwin City, KS) (2022 - 2023)
Blacksmith Kate Dinneen was contacted about creating a gate for the Black Jack Battlefield that would help tell the story in a symbolic way where "both sides" took up arms against each other over the issue of freedom. Dinneen brought together master blacksmiths, local residents and teens from the Van Go Mobile Arts program to create the design for the gate and then to hand forge the final project.
Free State Blacksmith Club is proud to have had some of its members assisting with the creation and installation of this gate.
The gate project was spear headed by Kate Deneen & Walt Hull.
The design was created by a team led by 2 master blacksmiths from England and involved blacksmiths from Missouri, Kansas and other parts of North America.
This unique gate is full of symbolism. A prairie grass motif is joined by branches and leaves of the blackjack oak. At the bottom of the side panels lie dead oak leaves, representing fallen men. Although the gate gives off the general impression of leafy, rural calm, hidden between the oak branches are representations of a Sharps Carbine and a bowie knife pike (the weapon which connects Black Jack to later Civil War events.)
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