Chain Bridge Forge, Spalding facts for kids
The Chain Bridge Forge is a very old blacksmith's workshop. It was built in the early 1800s. You can find it on High Street in Spalding, Lincolnshire, England.
This special place is now a living museum. Visitors can learn about Spalding's history. You can also discover how blacksmiths worked long ago. The museum has cool displays, guides, and videos. You might even get to try blacksmithing yourself! You can also watch experts at work and buy things made of iron.
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What is the Chain Bridge Forge?
The Chain Bridge Forge was likely built as a blacksmith's workshop. This happened in the first half of the 19th century. A man named Francis South owned and ran it back then.
How Did It Get Its Name?
The forge gets its name from a bridge nearby. This bridge crosses the River Welland. The first bridge here was made of chains. It was a special type of bridge called a drawbridge. This meant it could lift up. Lifting the bridge allowed boats and barges to pass through. These boats traveled up the river from the Wash.
Spalding used to be a busy port. The blacksmith at Chain Bridge Forge helped the boats. Records from the 1850s show he fixed things for them.
The Dodd Family and the Forge
In 1899, the forge was bought by George Dodd. His family kept the forge for three generations. During this time, the blacksmiths mostly helped the local community. They put shoes on horses and fixed farm tools.
A Changing Role
As the 20th century went on, blacksmiths were needed less. Cars and machines replaced horses and many old tools. Geoffery Dodd, George Dodd's grandson, adapted to these changes. He spent much of his career designing and building frames. These frames were for the amazing floats in Spalding's famous Flower Parade.
Saving the Forge
In the 1980s, Geoffery Dodd was getting ready to retire. The building was in bad shape. He talked to the South Holland District Council. After two years of talks, the council bought the forge. They paid him just £1 for it on September 20, 1988.
Restoring the Building
The building was fixed up in 1991. English Heritage helped with the restoration. Local builders, R. G. Sharman, did the work. They worked for the District Council.
The Forge as a Museum
In 2011, a group called the Friends of Chain Bridge Forge was created. Their goal was to turn the forge into a museum. They wanted it to be a heritage center.
To get people excited, the Friends opened the forge to the public. This happened during the Spalding Flower Parade in 2011. The South Holland District Council still owns and manages the property.
