A 1930s painting of George Washington as a blacksmith.

The Blacksmith Shop, located along Mount Vernon’s North Lane, was essential to the operation of the plantation and an important part of George Washington’s business on the plantation and off. Documentary records indicate that as early as 1755 a blacksmith shop was located approximately 200 feet north of the Mount Vernon Mansion. Today, the Shop itself does not survive but letters, account ledgers and other writings provide historical background about the identities of the blacksmiths, the work they performed and tools purchased for the Shop. Very little written evidence talks about the appearance of the Shop, its layout or size. Therefore, archaeological excavations have proven valuable in providing these details.

An artist's rendering of what the Blacksmith's Shop may have looked like.

Beginning in the 1930s the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association expressed an interest in Washington’s Blacksmith Shop and whether it was standing in 1799, the year of George Washington’s death. When you visit Mount Vernon the plantation appears as it did in that year, so if the Blacksmith Shop was standing when Washington died the Association would like to reconstruct, or rebuild it so visitors can see it. 

A variety of blacksmith artifacts were recovered during the archaeological excavation.

Archaeological excavations occurred at the site of the Blacksmith Shop in the 1930s, 1950s, 1960s and 1980s. Based on those excavations, which uncovered the base of the blacksmith’s forge, details about the Shop’s size and appearance, and numerous artifacts relating to the work of the smiths, we now know much more about George Washington’s Blacksmith Shop and in 2009 a working blacksmith shop was built along the North Lane. Today you are able to watch the blacksmith forge a plow from iron, just like in George Washington’s time.

Read more about the history of archaeology at Mount Vernon and an article about the Blacksmiths' Shop.