Holly Heller (left) hammers metal while Greg Knight assists her on Saturday, Oct. 12 at the annual Hammer-In event at the Kentucky Museum. Heller, with her aunt, Andrea Clan, attended the event together. “I think it’s a fantastic event that highlights some of man’s first creations,” Clan said. “I think it’s fabulous to go back to those roots and learn how to make something from the ground up.” (Photo by Brodie Curtsinger)
Gallery: Hammer-In welcomes local metalworkers to WKU
The Kentucky Museum hosts local blacksmiths and metalworkers on campus each year for their annual Hammer-In event. Families had the chance to watch experts at work and even try their hand at the trade! Talisman photographers Brodie Curtsinger and Kayden Mulrooney were on the scene to give you a glimpse of what it’s like to be a metalworker for a day.
Adam Henderson runs the coal forge at the Saturday, Oct. 12 Hammer-In event, at the Kentucky Museum. “The KFC (Kentucky Forge Council) is a group of local metalworkers, blacksmiths, and other artisans,” Henderson said. “This is our annual event to come out and show the public what we do to get them involved and contribute to the community.” (Photo by Brodie Curtsinger)Randy Hulsey laughs as he demonstrates tinsmithing at the Saturday, Oct. 12 Hammer-In event at the Kentucky Museum. (Photo by Brodie Curtsinger)Randy Hulsey cuts a piece of tin in front of his work station outside the Kentucky Museum for the annual Hammer-In event on Saturday, Oct. 12. Hulsey said he owns the Jennings Creek Tin Shoppe where he makes 18th and 19th century reproduction tinware. (Photo by Kayden Mulrooney)
Randy Hulsey hammers the rim of a tin cup at his work station outside the Kentucky Museum for the annual Hammer-In event on Saturday, Oct. 12. Since tin is a thin metal, it can often shift its shape. Hulsey said he must stop hammering to reshape the cup periodically as he works. (Photo by Kayden Mulrooney)
Randy Hulsey concentrates on crafting a tip cup at his work station outside the Kentucky Museum for the annual Hammer-In event on Saturday, Oct. 12. “Today is a disposable society,” Hulsey said. “It’s a dying art, you don’t see this anymore.” (Photo by Kayden Mulrooney)
John Ridley (center) gives a tin cup back to Randy Hulsey after showing it to his grandsons Reid Ridley, 8, and Roger Smith, 3, on Saturday, Oct. 12 at the annual Hammer-In event outside the Kentucky Museum. Ridley was a 1974 graduate of WKU and served on the Board of Regents. He said he likes to bring his family back to campus to support the students and staff. (Photo by Kayden Mulrooney)Randy Hulsey places a hammer back on his work station outside the Kentucky Museum for the annual Hammer-In event on Saturday, Oct. 12. Hulsey learned the art of being a tinsmith from his uncle starting in 1997. Husley said every tool and piece of equipment he uses came from his uncle and dates back to the 1840s. Hulsey’s uncle passed away in 2013. (Photo by Kayden Mulrooney)
