Brocksden Country School Museum brings pioneer skills to life

Bring a friend and work together using a traditional cross-cut saw at the final event of the summer at Brocksden Country School Museum. Contributed photo

By Diane Danen

Get ready to step back in time to experience traditional pioneer skills at the Brocksden Country School Museum on Saturday, Aug. 29, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Beading and leather artists will be at Brocksden working on their crafts throughout the day, and a teacher will be in the historic schoolhouse, offering visitors a glimpse into what school was like for children in days gone by.

Visitors can also try their hand at using a cross-cut saw and are encouraged to bring a friend and work together to experience this once-common method of cutting wood.

A working blacksmith will also be on site demonstrating the traditional craft of forging metal. Blacksmithing was once an essential trade in Ontario’s rural communities, playing an important role in pioneer life. Blacksmiths made and repaired tools, horseshoes, wagon parts and other metal items needed for farming and transportation.

The trade gradually declined as factories began producing tools and hardware more efficiently, while automobiles and tractors replaced horses, reducing the need for horseshoes. By the middle of the 20th century, many rural blacksmith shops had closed.

While blacksmithing is no longer a necessity in everyday rural life, the traditional craft continues to be preserved and practiced today. Historic villages and museums across Ontario use the tools and demonstrate the skills once used by pioneer blacksmiths, while modern artisans have adapted the craft to create decorative and functional pieces.

The Aug. 29 event offers visitors a chance to learn about these traditional skills, try some hands-on activities and experience a glimpse of life from the past. It is a great opportunity for families and visitors of all ages to step back in time and discover how these skills helped shape our communities.

Brocksden Country School Museum is located at 2719 Perth Line 37 on Vivian Street, just off Highway 7/8 between Stratford and Shakespeare. For more information, contact Jessie Campbell at brocksdenschool@gmail.com or call 519-271-2619.