Wendell August Forge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Wendell August Forge
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Site of the original forge building
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | 620 Madison St., Grove City, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | 1.8 acres (0.73 ha) |
| Built | 1932 |
| NRHP reference No. | 96001192 |
| Added to NRHP | November 7, 1996 |
Wendell August flagship store
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| Headquarters | 2074 Leesburg Grove City Rd., Mercer, Pennsylvania |
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The Wendell August Forge is a famous place in Mercer County, Pennsylvania. It's special because it's the last working forge in the state. A forge is a workshop where metal is heated and shaped by hammering. This company makes beautiful metal items like bowls, figures, and ornaments. They also create special items for events. Many people visit their stores and the forge itself.
Wendell August Forge started near Grove City, Pennsylvania in 1932. They were the first to use a special method called repoussé. This method pushes metal from the back to create a raised design on the front. The original building was a simple, one-story steel building. It was about 60 feet (18 m) by 160 feet (49 m) in size.
The Big Fire of 2010
On March 6, 2010, the historic forge building was destroyed by a fire. A spark from an electric fan started the fire. The flames spread very quickly. Almost two dozen local firefighters worked hard to put out the fire.
Even though the building was lost, the firefighters saved most of the special tools. These tools, called "dies," are very important for making the metal designs. They knew where these tools were kept and protected them from the flames.
Just before the fire, Wendell August Forge had a huge order from the Pittsburgh Penguins. This was the biggest order in the company's history. They were making souvenir tickets for the NHL team's last game at Mellon Arena. The team owner, Mario Lemieux, even offered to pay some money early. This helped the forge a lot after the fire.
How They Recovered
The company quickly got back to work. Within five days, they were operating from temporary places. This meant there was very little delay in their work. For the next three years, the factory and offices were in an old plant in Grove City. They also had a temporary store nearby.
The original forge building was in a residential area. After the fire, new rules meant they couldn't rebuild in the same spot. But with help from a state grant of $4 million, the forge moved to a new, much bigger place. They also hired more people, growing from 70 to 120 workers.
A New Home and Future
On October 9, 2013, Wendell August Forge opened its new main store, factory, and headquarters. It's located at 2074 Leesburg-Grove City Road. This new building is about 52,000 square feet. It has a history center where visitors can learn about the company. You can also take tours of the factory to see how they make their unique metal art.
The company was also a leader in making hammered aluminum gifts. They started making these items in 1930.
