2025-2026 Season

Strike While the Iron is Hot: An introduction to Blacksmithing at Pat’s Forge

Saturday May 16th –  10 AM to 12 PM rain or shine

Since Bethlehem’s earliest days, blacksmithing was vital for settlements and commerce. The making of nearly every tool involved a skilled blacksmith. Now is your chance to see how it’s actually done.

Join us at Pat’s Forge in Albany, NY, for an introductory talk and live demonstration that pulls back the curtain on the ancient, necessary, and rewarding world of blacksmithing. This isn’t a dry history lecture — it’s a front-row seat to the transformation of raw iron into something functional and beautiful.

What to Expect:

• The Fundamentals: We’ll start with a brief talk on the “why” and “how” of the craft—understanding heat colors, the anatomy of an anvil, and why blacksmiths aren’t a relic of the past.
• Live Demonstration: Watch the sparks fly as we move metal at 2,000°F. You’ll see essential techniques like drawing, upsetting, and twisting in real-time.
• Q&A: Get your questions answered by people who spend their weekends playing with fire.

Whether you’re a history buff, or just someone who finds the rhythmic ring of an anvil strangely therapeutic, there’s a spot by the forge for you. No experience is required — just a healthy respect for hot metal and a bit of curiosity.

Location: Pat’s Forge, 5 Mill Rd, Albany, NY

Pat’s Forge is on the grounds of the Normanskill Farm Park.  Go on Delaware Ave towards Albany, and Mill Rd is the first right just after the bridge over the Normanskill River

Date & Time: May 16 from 10 AM to 12 noon rain or shine

Invited: Open to BHA members and their families & friends. No registration needed.

Come see why “striking while the iron is hot” is more than just a cliché; it was vital for a sustainable community.

 Previous 2026 Out and About Programs

Join us for a visit to the Myers Residence at the Underground Railroad Education Center

We are going Out and About to the Underground Railroad Education Center
194 Livingston Avenue, Albany

Saturday February 28, 10 a.m.

Admission is $15 each payable at the door. $12 for seniors.

You must sign up with Susan Leath, SusanLeath2011@gmail.com or 518-209-5855.

Parking is on both sides of Livingston Avenue, Albany.  Please be mindful of the neighbors’ driveways.  Let Susan know if you would like to carpool and she will connect those willing to drive and those who would prefer to ride.

Our tour features the Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence. The home was a headquarters for Underground Railroad activity in the Capital Region in the mid 1850’s, as documented by a Vigilance Committee flier that has survived from that period along with other historic records. Today, this historic site is a place where the community can come to learn about and be transformed by the inspiring story of the Underground Railroad, the first integrated civil rights movement in the United States, and its relevance for us today.

Date & Time:  Saturday, February 28th – 10 AM

Contact Susan Leath for more information

Previous Season Programs