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News and Updates from Sanborn Mills Farm
20 Years of Blacksmithing at Sanborn Mills Farm
Twenty years ago Garry Kalajian met with our founder Colin Cabot and the Blacksmithing Studio and program was brought to life. Garry is a respected figure in the blacksmithing community and a valued member of our faculty here at Sanborn Mills.
Garry Kalajian’s introduction to blacksmithing was unexpected. In the mid-1980s, after earning a liberal arts degree with a background in music, he became a graduate teaching assistant at the New Jersey School of Conservation. The role required him to teach a variety of skills, from cooking over an open fire to woodworking and blacksmithing. Though he had initially pursued environmental education—eventually earning a master’s degree in the field—his experience working with hot metal ignited a passion for blacksmithing.
Eager to deepen his knowledge, Garry took a beginner’s blacksmithing course at the Peters Valley Craft School. Mostly self-taught, his skills flourished when he moved to New Hampshire in 1989. There, he attended the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen Fair and met David Court, a seasoned blacksmith who became his mentor. Through a traditional arts apprenticeship grant, Garry trained under Court, refining his techniques and developing his style.
Fast forward to 2005, Garry met with Colin Cabot after his friend and then farm manager Jim Deely mentioned the interest in having a blacksmithing program at Sanborn Mills Farm. Garry came to the farm and after meeting Colin, who was up on a ladder putting up siding at the time, the two sat down and started to plan out the blacksmithing teaching studio. A short time later Steve Fifield assembled the blacksmith studio out of parts of a recycled building that Jim Deely had salvaged to make an addition to his house.
The intention was to tailor the blacksmithing program to people who had a deeper interest in blacksmithing and who wanted to pursue it more seriously. “My hope was to reach a critical mass of interested beginners that would be interested in coming back to take more advanced classes,” says Kalajian. “People will often marvel at the types of projects that the blacksmithing basics students are able to accomplish. I give the students demanding projects and the benefit of only having four students in each class is that I can give each student the individual attention that they need.”
Kalajian recalls a conversation with fellow blacksmith Peter Happny from Portsmouth, New Hampshire where Happny emphasized the importance of remembering how you do something so as not to have to reinvent the wheel. Garry explains that his approach is rather in opposition to that “I take very limited notes and I find that it the most efficient way to grow creatively. It also helps me as a teacher because I’m constantly assuming the role of the student, learning and trying as I go, and that informs my teaching.”
For those interested in blacksmithing, Garry’s advice is simple: start by taking a workshop. He also recommends joining a local blacksmithing guild, such as the New England Blacksmiths (NEB) an affiliate of the Artist-Blacksmith’s Association of North America (ABANA), to connect with experienced artisans and participate in events.
To Garry, preserving traditional crafts like blacksmithing is important because it is an essential part of cultural heritage. Historically, blacksmiths were highly regarded members of society, akin to today’s automobile mechanics. Their work was indispensable, and their craft formed the backbone of many communities. Preserving traditional blacksmithing techniques ensures that this vital piece of history remains alive and accessible for future generations.
What Garry values most about his work is the opportunity to share his knowledge. He finds fulfillment in watching his students develop their skills and take pride in their creations. You can find more information about Garry’s work on his website Ararat Forge.
Now 20 years later Garry continues to teach several blacksmithing workshops a year from his popular Blacksmithing Basics workshops to more unique opportunities like Tools of the Hearth where Kalajian partners with Broom Maker Larry Antonuk to create several tools for tending a fire. You can find more information about Garry’s workshops on our website.
Guided Winter Trail Event!
Please join us on Sunday, March 9th at 1:00 pm for an exciting exploration of the first official trail at Sanborn Mills Farm! This scenic trail winds through beautiful forests and open fields with a lovely overlook view of the farm and environs. Along the way, we’ll share insights about this inaugural trail and our vision for expanding the trail network, giving you a glimpse of the adventures to come.
Details:
- .65-mile hike with approximately 100-foot vertical rise and fall.
- Approximate time – 1 hour.
- Feel free to use whatever gear is appropriate for you and conditions: footwear with good traction or traction devices, snowshoes, cross-country skis, hiking poles, outerwear clothing, etc. Please come prepared for an exploration!
- Your guides will be Craig Mabie, Studios Manager, and Ray Ramsey, Farm Manager.
- Please meet in Visitor Parking and be ready at 1:00 pm on Sunday, March 9th.
Mortise and Tenon Joinery & Oxen Basics
Join Lucas Fowler in this hands-on timber framing workshop and master the art of laying out, cutting, and assembling a traditional mortise and tenon joint using both hand and power tools. Walk away with essential woodworking skills, a handcrafted timber joint, and the confidence to tackle your own projects!
Are you thinking about adding an oxen team to your farm but not sure where to start? Join our expert teamsters in this two-day workshop where students will learn the essentials of selecting, training, and working with oxen, gaining practical experience with much of the training based upon the day-to-day work at Sanborn Mills Farm.
Sanborn Mills Farm | www.sanbornmills.org
Sanborn Mills Farm | 7097 Sanborn Road | Loudon, NH 03307 US