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April 15, 2023

Hammer-In Festival

Saturday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Blacksmiths from the tri-state area convene for the Hammer-In Festival in Greene County!

This annual event occurs on third Saturday in April at the W.A. Young & Sons Foundry and Machine Shop. Join Rivers of Steel for an amazing, behind-the-scenes historical experience!
Recognized by the Department of the Interior as a National Historic Landmark in 2017, the W.A. Young & Sons Foundry and Machine Shop is a marvel by its mere existence. It is the only surviving and functional example of our nation’s twentieth century evolution from local blacksmith shops to mass production machining facilities.
Saturday, April 15th, we’ll open the doors, switch on the machines and invite area blacksmiths to demonstrate just how this unique machine shop operated! Guided tours and blacksmith demonstrations occur throughout the day. Members from the Pittsburgh Area Artist-Blacksmiths Association and the Appalachian Blacksmiths Association will demonstrate blacksmithing processes and auction off their artworks to support the Machine Shop, PAABA and ABA.
Festivities begin at 9:00 a.m., with official remarks noon, followed by the auction a 1:00 p.m. and an aluminum pour courtesy of Rivers of Steel Arts.
Admission is free. Refreshments and merchandise are available for purchase. A family-friendly event, don’t miss this opportunity to watch the past come alive!

Hours & Admission*

Saturday, April 15, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

General Admission 

Free

"Wonderful tour and blacksmithing demo! Excellent photography stop, highly recommend."—Bonnie Joy Massey, Google Review, 2021

Read more Google reviews

Tour guide demonstrates how machine works
A red clapboard building with dozes of six-over-six windows.
the interior of the facitily showing the machines in the shop and the line shaft system
A forge and blacksmith station
A father and son look and gesture at a drill press
Pattern molds and crucibles

Location & Directions

Located in Greene County, one hour south of Pittsburgh in the upper Monongahela River Valley at 114 Water Street, Rices Landing, PA 15357.

Get DirectionsGet Directions

Please note that this location can be out of range. Your GPS or online mapping programs may not be available. Download directions offline or print them in advance.

What to Know Before You Go

As a former industrial site, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure an enjoyable visit.

  • COVID-19 Policies: Please be advised of our current COVID-19 policies. 
  • Social distancing:  Social distancing is no longer mandatory, but we do ask that you be mindful of the people around you, allowing for a comfortable amount of space when possible.
  • What to wear: Dress for the weather. The building is not temperature controlled. Additionally, the ground and flooring are uneven—sensible shoes are a must. Sneakers or boots are recommended. Open-toed shoes and high heels are prohibited.
  • Restrooms & concessions: The antiquity of the site is certainly part of its charm. However, that limits the creature comforts many of us are accustomed to, like running water. Restrooms are available at the park near the entrance to Water Street. Food amenities are generally not available.
  • Photography: Photography is permitted. For safety reasons, videography and drones are prohibited.
  • Accessibility: This National Historic Landmark is generally not fully accessible, but can meet some patrons’ needs. Contact info@riversofsteel.com to inquire.
  • Liability: By purchasing admission tickets, all visitors are required to sign a liability waiver and consent to be photographed (PDF).
  • Admission: Site access is limited to guided tours, workshops, and events. Unless otherwise noted, all admissions are ticketed.
  • Duration: Please allow one hour for your tour.
  • Location & GPS: The Machine Shop is located at 114 Water Street, Rices Landing, PA 15357. The historic town of Rices Landing is located in a valley where cell service can be limited. You may not want to rely on your GPS.
  • Parking: Guests are welcome to park in the parking lot near the entrance of Water Street, on the left side before rounding the bend. From there the walk to the the Machine Shop is 400 feet and has a slight incline. Additional parking is available on Main Street for this event. Guests with limited mobility may be dropped off near the front of the building, but please be advised that turnaround space can be limited directly in front of the Shop—especially during the Hammer-In!
  • Children: While kids of all ages are welcome, the tour content is recommended for children ages 8+.

Thank you for following these guidelines. We wish you to have the best visit possible and appreciate your patience as we continue to improve the visitor experience.

For more information, contact info@riversofsteel.com.

Learn more about the events

such as tours, workshops, and festivals happening at each unique attraction.

A blacksmith hammers on an anvil.

Details

Date:
April 15
Time:
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Event Categories:
,

Venue

W.A. Young & Sons Foundry and Machine Shop
114 Water Street
Rices Landing, PA 15357 United States

Organizer

Rivers of Steel
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