There is a new Facebook page for our Summer Show in August. Please check it out: Artisans at the Firehouse

Next Event: Easter Show at the Furnace Firehouse

Stop by and see us at our Easter Show on March 17 & 18.

We will be at the Robesonia Furnace Firehouse along w/ Handwerk Tin and Robesonia Redware
Time: 9am to 4pm both days

Robesonia Redware new website

The legacy of Lester Brieninger continues.

Former Breininger Pottery employees Curt and TJ, along with their dad Scott ( also a long-time employee of Breininger) are keeping the Pennsylvania German redware tradition alive.
They have started a business called Robesonia Redware.
Check out their new website: http://www.RobesoniaRedware.com/

Handwerk Tin has a new website

Our friends at Handwerk Tin are on the web.

Please stop by and take a look at their site. http://handwerktin.blogspot.com/  

More content will be added in the following weeks.

New website for the smithy

Our website is finally up and running.
Come and check us out at http://www.furnacecreekforge.com/
thanks

In Remembrance of Lester Breininger

Robesonia has lost someone who was truly larger than life on 12/3/11.

Our thoughts and prayers go to the family of Lester Breininger who is now at rest after passing away at home in his beloved Taylor Mansion.

Lester was a man of extraordinary talents and abilities.
Thank you Lester for sharing your knowledge with and being kind to us over the years.
You are greatly missed by us both.

The below article is from the Reading Eagle today:

http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=350378

Family members mourn renowned teacher, antique collector who died on Saturday, 12/3/11.
In a dining room adorned with 200-year-old Pennsylvania Dutch antiques, Barbara Breininger chatted Monday about her late husband's legacy.

Lester Breininger, 76, a renowned antique collector, teacher and potter, died Saturday in his Robesonia home. He had been under hospice care for complications due to Alzheimer's disease, family members said.

"Lester's spirit lives on in the things he's preserved and the lives of the people he touched," said Barbara, 76, his wife of 54 years.

Over more than six decades, Lester amassed one of the largest collections of Berks County antiques and artifacts ever assembled.

The collection, much of which reflected the county's German roots, filled the family's 20-room Victorian mansion. The Breiningers lived in the house, built by iron foundry magnate George Taylor in 1886, for 51 years.

Much of the Breininger collection was recently sold in a two-day auction at Pook & Pook gallery in Downingtown, Chester County.

Born in Tilden Township, Lester was the son of Lester and Mamie (Hunsicker) Breininger of Shartlesville.
He graduated from Hamburg High School and attended Kutztown University, where he earned a degree in science in 1957.

Lester and Barbara were married in 1957, the year she graduated from the Reading Hospital School of Nursing.

A teacher by profession, Lester taught biology in the Conrad Weiser School District for 33 years before retiring in 1991.

"We had a wonderful life together," Barbara said.

The Breiningers achieved national recognition for their redware pottery decorated with tulips, distelfink and other Pennsylvania Dutch motifs.
Their annual front porch sale of pottery, made in an outbuilding on the property, drew collectors from around the country. The 42nd, and last, porch sale was held in August.
Lisa Randolph, the Breiningers' daughter, marveled at her father's many interests.

"He was a teacher, a potter, an antique collector and a patriot," said Randolph, 50, of Washington. "All those things were deeply ingrained in him."

After her husband died, Barbara got out his red-and-white Patriotic Order Sons of America sash and placed it on the dining room table. Lester was a former state and national president of the order. POSofA Bernville Camp No. 113 met in the Robesonia Foundry paymaster's building on the Breiningers' property.

Scott Shultz, who followed Lester as POSofA state president, said the order is planning a memorial service for Lester. A Conrad Weiser teacher and a former student of Lester's, Shultz hopes to have the service at Conrad Weiser Middle School, where Lester once taught.

"He was very proud when one of his students became a teacher," said Shultz, 55, a former Conrad Weiser athletic director.

The Breininger family said there will be no funeral service because Lester's body has been donated to science.

Thank you to everyone we saw at our Christmas Show last weekend.

Thanks to everyone that helped make our Christmas Show at the Robesonia "Furnace Firehouse" a success.

Ken and Carolyn of Handwerk Tin along with Kurt, Brooke and TJ of Robesonia Redware along with both of us had a wonderful three days.

The Friends of the Robesonia Furnace had the museum open all three days and their collection of local artifacts is truly impressive.
They are to be commended for all of their hard work to preserve the heritage of our community.

We saw some familiar faces and made some new friends.
The weather was fantastic and I ended up in shorts and a polo shirt on Sunday. :)

Looking forward to next year.

The Spirit of Christmas Trail in Robesonia - Tickets are available now

The Spirit of Christmas Trail in the Robesonia area runs from 12/2 to 12/4.

Furnace Creek Forge, Robesonia Redware and Handwerk Tinsmiths are participating in the Trail and will be set-up at the Robesonia Furnace Firehouse.
The five other businesses outlined below are also participating.

"A Wrinkle in Time"

"Lori's Candy Station"
"The Salt Box"

"Rowe Sales and Service, Inc"

"1700 Historical Collectibles"

Tickets are available for $5.00 each from any of the participating merchants.
Tickets can be purchased before or during the Christmas Trail.
All ticket proceeds will be donated to the Robesonia Community Library.

Tickets are not needed to attend the Christmas Trail but you get the following perks with one:

A ticket entitles you to $5 off each purchase of $30 or more from each merchant on the Trail.
There are also over $600 in door prizes.
To be eligible for the door prize drawings you must have your ticket validated at each location on the Trail ( no purchase required).

Contact us for further details if needed or to purchase a ticket.
484.651.9402

Rainbow over Stouchsburg

While traveling backroads the other day from Schaefferstown to Millardsville via Richland I was able to capture these two images looking towards Stouchsburg:
The camera used is a little Canon pocket cam Powershot SX110.

The end of an era at the Robesonia Furnace

This past weekend, 8/20 and 21 was the final Breininger Pottery Porch Show which was first started way back in 1970.
We want to express our thanks and gratitude to Lester and Barbara Breininger for allowing us to be a part of the Porch Show for the previous sixteen years.
We would also like to express thanks to our new and previous customers who again helped to make it a successful weekend after hours toiling at the anvil.
Many of us that have grown up in this part of western Berks County have fond memories of Lester and his unique personality. Some had him as a teacher. Others knew him through local historical organizations. I spent many hours at the Taylor Mansion while growing up with his son Preston.



My earliest remembrance of Lester was as a little tyke during a Halloween trick-or-treat night. While out with my mom visiting local homes for candy, we walked up to these huge doors at the front of the Taylor Mansion. She rang the doorbell and stepped off to the side leaving me to wait alone. That scared me a little as this was my first time at this house and it after dark. The door opened slowly with a long drawn out squeak but no one was there. Ok, this is scary... The interior of the house was dark. Some strange noises could be heard from within but you couldn't see inside. I'm getting a little jumpy now.
Slowly this face comes into view from behind the door and this man was laughing at how scared I was. It was Lester and some of his children were there also.
That memory gives me a chuckle every now and then.

 While in high school at Conrad Weiser, I was part of a class that Lester and Mr McComsey taught which was modeled after the Foxfire program in Georgia. The founder of that program came to Conrad Weiser and discussed with us how it all started. That class was an interesting experience.


Lester encouraged me in my pursuit of blacksmithing and provided materials to read on the early blackmith's and how they plied their trade. He made me aware of some of the local smith's and there was at least one that worked at the Robesonia Furnace by the name of Moyer.
As a youth, I ate supper at their home many times and learned what spaetzle was. We dipped water for drinking out of a bucket from a spring up on a hill in the back of the property.

A number of years ago Lester's grandson, Allen Michael started hanging around the coal fire and anvil while I demonstrated during the Porch Show weekend. Of course what young man isn't interested in the roar of the fire and making sparks fly. I encouraged him to try hammering and showed him how to operate the forge blower. He picked it up fairly quick and in later years even demonstrated a few times for interested onlookers. I was glad for the break. LOL
Thank you Allen Michael for your friendship and quick wit.

Lester, being an avid historian of many things "local", has provided the citizens of our area with many important details and artifacts of how the Robesonia Furnace operated.

Thanks Lester and Barbara for all that you have done.

Almost Time for the Breininger Pottery Porch Show

August 20th and 21st.
Our tent will be set up with ironwork to sell and I'll be giving blacksmithing demo's.
Stop by and say hello.

Added a Little Giant mechanical hammer to our smithy

After waiting many years I was able to purchase a 50lb Little Giant mechanical power hammer to assist me in the smithy.

It was located at Tyson's Forge in nearby Fritztown.
Some friends and I made the move during an early weekend morning when traffic would be light.
A local backhoe operator loaded and unloaded it. Total time from start till finish was about three hours.

We used a template of the hammer base to mark and drill bolt holes in four 8"x 9" white oak beams.
The beams are bolted together with 5/8" threaded rod and the hammer is bolted down with 5/8" bolts.

The backhoe lowered the hammer onto the template and bolts and then the base was bolted down.
Both were then lifted so two 2x4's could be laid underneath the beams and it was gently pushed into the shop onto some pipe.
The backhoe continued to slowly push to its limit and then we took over by manually pushing and using prybars to yutz it into position.

The approximate weight of the hammer is 1800lbs not including the white oak beams.
Manufacture date was sometime during World War 1.

I ran a 220 line to the motor later that day and started it.
All grease and oil points need to be lubed up and then I'll give it a trial run.

Here are a few images to show how things went.

Breininger Pottery Christmas Show

Thanks to everyone that helped make the Breininger Pottery Christmas Show last Friday thru Sunday a success.
We were set up on the front porch of the Taylor Mansion along with Ken and Carolyn Handwerk of Handwerk Tin.
It was a bit cold at times but the time flew by.
Looking forward to next year.

Had a great time at the Hay Creek Festival

If you have never been to the Hay Creek Festival, you need to attend at least once.
Each day begins with a local Boy Scout Troop raising the flag and then ends with them lowering it.
Patriotism and Americana are in great abundance at this event and I am glad to see it.
There are Early American crafts and trades being demonstrated.
The two gentleman building Pennsylvania Longrifles are a favorite of mine to see.
Once a day there is a parade of old restored tractors.
Most unusual are the hit and miss engines and how they were used in every day life.
The belt-driven woodworking machines are fascinating.
While there I met some new friends and saw some old ones.
Spent a portion of the day on Friday and Saturday giving blacksmith demonstrations.
Looking forward to next year.

Next Event: Hay Creek Festival 9/10-12

Our tent will be set-up next to the Blacksmith Shop.

Stop by and say hello if you're in the area.

 http://www.haycreek.org/festivals.htm

September 10 - 12, 2010 (rain or shine), 10am till 5pm

Blog Site for Old Dry Road Farm

The new Blog for Old Dry Road Farm can be found here: www.dryroadfarm.blogspot.com/
Be sure to read their press release for the Annual Harvest and Acoustic Music Festival being held on 9/26 from 11am till 5pm.
We will be next to the white barn demo'ing blacksmithing and dutch oven cooking.

Next Event: 41st Breininger Porch Show 8/21 and 22

Hard to believe its time for another Porch Show. Time flies.

Stop by our tent to see what we have and to say hello.

Our next event: Lebanon Union Canal Days

Our sutler tent will be pitched on 5/15 and 5/16 at Union Canal Days in Lebanon.

http://lebanoncountyhistoricalsociety.org/canal-tunnel/canal-days

Here is an excerpt from their website:

Union Canal Days

For the past twenty years, on the third weekend in May, the Friends of the Union Canal Tunnel Park, under the auspices of the Lebanon County Historical Society, have sponsored Union Canal Days at the Union Canal Tunnel Park.

There is no admission charge for the festival and only a $1.00 per vehicle parking fee.

Hours:

Saturday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

Sunday 11:00 am - 5:00 pm

I believe admission is still free but there may be a small fee for parking.

Stop by and say hello if you're in the area.

We are back on Blogger

We're back on Blogger for the time being and am looking at a new Flash website.

WordPress seems like a good application but I can't get it to work as a Blogsite.

Once the Flash site is up and running we'll look at WordPress again as a stand-alone application.
One complaint I have with WordPress is the constant spam posts.
Sometimes 40 or more at a time. Never had that problem with Blogger.

Here is a photo of the Smithy during one of the February snowstorms.

The Furnace Creek Forge Blog has moved

We have moved our blog to a blogsite powered by WordPress.
Look for it at http://www.furnacecreekforge.com/
This is the last blog entry on Blogger.

No ceremony planned to mark 100th anniversary of Conrad Weiser statue

http://www.readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=158542

I wanted to provide text to the article but Blogger crashes when copying and pasting.

Next Event: Old Dry Road Farm on 9/27/09

PRESS RELEASE- OLD DRY ROAD FARM FESTIVAL

Old Dry Road Farm is pleased to invite the public to the annual Harvest and acoustic Music Festival on Sunday, September 27 from 11:00 A.M. til 5:00 P.M. This year there will be a variety of activities to entertain you. There will be butter churning and sauer kraut making being demonstrated. The master gardeners will be demonstrating making brooms from broom corn that was grown in the 4 square garden at the farm. They will also be showing wool dying and explaining the uses of flax. As usual our freshly squeezed cider will be available. Bring your lawn chairs, because after you walk around you might want to sit and enjoy the music provided by Full Circle Music Society.

Dawn Fry our teacher will be supervising crafts and games for the children in the white barn. There will also be candle dipping where the children can make their own candle and take it home. Allen Schaeffer, our blacksmith will also be demonstrating his trade at that location. Outdoor cooking in a dutch oven will be demonstrated as seen in the accompanying picture. Rustic breads, pineapple upside down cake and main dishes will be prepared. If you are around at the right time you might be able to get a taste of some of these flavorful dishes.

Chicken Noodle Corn Soup, Ham and Bean Soup, Bar-B-Ques, Hot Dogs, Lemonade, and Cakes, Cookies and Pies will all be on sale for your enjoyment. Our bake stand is one of the most popular refreshment stands as most of our cakes and pies are homemade and taste delicious. We also sell spearmint tea made from the tea grown in our four square garden. The garden is open and you are invited to stroll the paths among the herbs and vegetables.

Carriage rides will again be available for visitors. The carriage will be taking approximately 20 minute rides which will include passing the Speicher House which is seldom seen by the public but is the oldest building on the property. Carriage rides will be conducted by Rodney Dieffenbach from Womelsdorf who owns “County Carriage Rides".

If you have been staying close to home this year trying to save gas, this festival provides a relaxing day in the country at a minimal cost. There are no frills, just a typical day on the farm. Music and good food round out the enjoyment of the day.

Our event is held rain or shine and admission is $2.00 for everyone age 16 and older. From Reading take 422 West. Go to Church Road in Wernersville and turn right onto Church Road. Follow Church Road until you come to Brownsville Road. Turn left onto Brownsville Road, pass the Lower Heidleberg Grade School and the next road to the right goes in to the farm. This road is next to Spitler’s Garage. For more information on the Festival or help with directions call 610-678-1226.

Next Event: Hay Creek Festival

Stop by and say hello at the Hay Creek Festival on 9/11-13.
http://www.haycreek.org/festivals.htm

40th Breininger Pottery Porch Show

We exhibited at the 40th Breininger Pottery Porch Show this past weekend.

Despite the threat of rain and high humidity, we said hello to some of our past customers and met quite a few new ones.

Here are some photos of that event.

The second photo shows Lester Breininger signing a piece of pottery for an admiring customer.

Visit us at the Breininger Pottery Porch Show

The Porch Show is on 8/22 and 23.
We'll be demonstrating blacksmithing and selling our decorative hand-wrought ironwork.

Conrad Weiser Homestead Upcoming Events

Some interesting events will be happening at the Conrad Weiser Homestead this month and in September.
http://www.conradweiserhomestead.org/index.asp

• August 9 French & Indian War Interpretive Sunday 12 PM to 4 PM
• August 15 Evening Tours 6 PM to 8:30 PM
• September 13 French & Indian War Interpretive Sunday 12 PM to 4 PM

Be sure to set some time aside in your schedule to visit and learn more about Conrad Weiser and what he did for our country.
Also, The Friends of the Conrad Weiser Homestead are looking for volunteers to help keep this important historical site alive.
A meeting is being planned for those that are interested in volunteering.
That meeting may be after the September F&I War interpretive Sunday.
Please check back for a confirmation of date and time for the meeting.

D-Day June 6th, 1944

Watch this stirring speech from President Reagan at the 4oth anniversary of D-Day.
He offered no apologies to anyone.

I will never forget.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBeyZAmmJNg

Conrad Weiser Homestead meeting with the PHMC last night

I was overwhelmed with the show of support by citizens from our community and other parts of the state who attended last nights meeting.
Many citizens spoke and I was proud of how well they articulated their viewpoints concerning this important issue.
Despite all of that, the future doesn't look good for the Conrad Weiser Homestead.

Some of my info may be a bit fuzzy. I tried to retain as much as possible during the meeting. Please correct me where needed.

The PHMC has basically told us there is no money in the budget for the continued operations of the CW Homestead.
Those who attended last night were told that the State of Pa is in a significant financial crisis and is experiencing a deficit of 1 to 3 billion dollars.
The PHMC understands the value of our history but when the rubber mets the road, the Homestead must be shut down to save money.
That decision will be made on 6/17/09.
The PHMC stated that if local municipalites and/or private (for now) business were to step up with money, they will keep the status quo.

PHMC also said that the rest of the state historic sites are also in danger of cutbacks or being closed.

Representatives of the Friends of the Conrad Weiser Homestead spoke last night. It was stated they would accept a larger role of responsibility in the operation of the Homestead.
But, to do that they would need time, much more than the 6/18/09 deadline that the PHMC is operating under
PHMC does not appear to be willing to work with them in that regard.

Currently the buildings are open for visitors on a limited basis.
Under PHMSC's plan the buildings will be closed and the exhibits will be removed.
The grounds will still be available for public use.

If I understand the current financial situation correctly, by closing the site the state will realize a total savings of just under $30,000.00.
There is currently no curator which is a cost savings right there. There is also a part-time maintance/groundskeeper and one part-time person who is a history interpreter and tour guide.
We have all heard of wasteful spending in government.
I'm sure there are many areas in gov't that are in need of accountability and transparency to save money.
Attacking our history is not a way to save dollars.

Maybe Fast-Eddie could drive the speed limit on the turnpike and save some taxpayer funded gasoline he wastes by speeding back and forth from Philly to H-burg...

Hiking our taxes is a bandaid solution to the bigger problem of gov't being out of control and not accountable to its citizens in how our dollars are spent.

If the budget is in such a critical state, how about the Judicial, Executive and Legislative branches of our state goverment taking some major pay cuts to show they "feel our pain".
I'm sure we could scrape together quite a bundle right there.

I urge everyone who reads this to contact the state starting with the governor and voice your displeasure at the direction our state is heading.

Gov Rendell: http://www.governor.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/contact/2998
PHMC: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=1579&&PageID=259337&mode=2
Pa General Assembly: http://www.legis.state.pa.us/

Colonial Crafts Day at the Conrad Weiser Homestead

Here are some images from the Colonial Crafts Day at the Homestead: