A & H Doddridge Blacksmith Shop

A & H Doddridge Blacksmith Shop

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Posted 2016-03-30 by Colleen P Moynefollow
Driving down the main street of Angaston in the Barossa Valley, it's easy to miss the unassuming tin shed at number 19, but stop and take a look inside and you will enter a bygone era.



The A&H Doddridge blacksmith shop is a working business and museum in one. Run completely by volunteers, this unique building incorporates the original workshop that was built on this site in 1873.

The shop is open every Saturday, Sunday and Public Holiday from 1pm till 4pm and at other times by prior arrangement. There is no cost to visit but they do appreciate a donation towards the upkeep.





Visitors can browse and admire a vast array of tools and implements, read about their history, watch skilled smiths demonstrating the forging techniques or just chat to the volunteers who operate the facility.



I met volunteer Anthony – who told me the story of the original Hardy Doddridge and his legendary cockatoo who lived to the age of 76 and was a draw-card for visitors to the shop.

I also met Jeff, who demonstrated the operation of the original bellows, used to keep the fired coals hot enough to soften the metal for shaping.



Wandering through the old shop, I was amazed at the variety of implements from horseshoes to axe-heads to wheels and numerous other things of which I had no clue. Unfortunately I didn't have enough time to spend with the volunteers to learn more but their knowledge and pride in their work was obvious.



What I enjoyed most about this visit is that I didn't need an understanding of blacksmithing to appreciate this fascinating place, just an interest in our history and some time to spare.

#barossa_valley
#free
#museums
#places_of_interest
#south_australia
#workshops
%wnadelaide
181060 - 2023-06-16 00:42:02

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