Second annual ‘Artisans at the Forge’ returns

NEGAUNEE — An event highlighting skills of pioneers who settled on the Marquette Iron Range returns this weekend.

The sights, sounds and smells of nineteenth and early twentieth century arts and crafts comes back to the Michigan Iron Industry Museum in Negaunee for the second annual Artisans at the Forge event.

Ten different artisans from both the Upper and Lower Peninsula will be demonstrating crafts such as blacksmithing and jewelry making on museum grounds and will have products of their work for sale.

“People can interact with these artisans; learn a little bit more about their trades and really kind of celebrate the traditional artisans that kind of founded these iron ranges in the 1880’s and early 1900’s,” Michigan Iron Industry museum historian Troy Henderson said.

Admission is free and the event takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. Copper Crust Pizza will also be there selling food.