Archaeology at Pope’s Tavern: Blacksmithing Demonstration

FLORENCE-Archaeology at Pope’s Tavern is hosting a presentation and workshop on Saturday, April 5th, 2025, at 10:00am at Pope’s Tavern Museum, 203 Hermitage Drive, Florence, AL. This is one of a series of workshops at Pope’s Tavern that will explore history and archaeology.

Members of the Athens Forge will be on hand to demonstrate different blacksmithing techniques, including the creation of hand forged steel tools and implements. The demonstration will focus on how items recovered through archaeological testing at Pope’s Tavern may have been made. The program will be held in the yard at Pope’s Tavern; please bring a lawn chair if you’d like a seat.

The Athens Forge, a member of the Alabama Forge Council (www.alaforge.org), is a group of both amateur and professional individuals dedicated to preserving and promoting the knowledge and skills of the blacksmithing craft.

The program is free and is sponsored by the City of Florence Department of Arts and Museums. Pope’s Tavern Museum is a museum dedicated to the early (1800-1870) history of Florence and Lauderdale County. Archaeology at Pope’s Tavern is a free, public archaeology program that has been documenting the history of the site since 2022. Pope’s Tavern is located at 203 Hermitage Drive, Florence, AL and is open, Tuesday – Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Call 256-760-6439 for more information.