Welcome to Old West Forge
School of Blacksmithing
Old West Forge is located on Tim and Holly Middaugh’s farm in rural Klickitat County north of White Salmon, Washington near the base of Mt. Adams. Here the students may absorb the beauty of these natural surroundings as they pursue this old-world craft.
Old West Forge Students…
Are from all walks of life including the following professions:
- Wood worker
- Welder
- Attorney
- Computer engineer
- Potter
- Television producer
- Rancher
- Carpenter
- Metal shop teacher
- Biologist
- Ornamental iron fabricator
- Archeologist
- Medical office manager
- Executive
- Retiree
- Small business owner
- College student
- Plumber
- Wood shop teacher
- Photographer
- Industrial design engineer
- Tool maker
- Stay-at-home mom
They all have the common desire to learn an old world craft and to see objects of simple elegance emerge out of hot iron.
Instruction takes place in a pleasant and supportive environment.
Our students learn the basic fundamentals of blacksmithing through toolmaking and a series of forged projects.
- Heat treating
- Tool making
- Traditional joinery
- Hot fitting
- Hot collaring
- Riveting
- Scrolls
- Shop layout
- Animal heads
- Project design
- Project layout
- and more!
Located in scenic White Salmon, WA in the beautiful Pacific Northwest
Old West Forge is located 70 miles east of Portland in the beautiful Columbia River Gorge region near the base of Mt. Adams. In our rural Klickitat County setting, students may absorb the beauty of these natural surroundings as they pursue this old world craft. For help planning your trip to White Salmon, WA with information about local amenities click below.