Where the Iron Sang: Jeff Kierstead’s Blacksmith Shop
At a time when travel through Rothesay depended on horses and wagons, the blacksmith shop on Tennis Court Road was an essential part of daily life. Jeff Kierstead was known for his skill not only in shoeing horses, but in repairing tools, making hardware, and keeping the equipment of local farms in working order. Blacksmiths like Kierstead were problem-solvers and craftsmen, shaping iron by hand in the heat of the forge. The rhythm of the hammer and anvil was a familiar sound to anyone passing through the village. His shop served as both a workplace and a gathering spot where news, stories, and local updates were exchanged. Although the era of the rural blacksmith has long since passed, the legacy of tradespeople like Kierstead remains part of the character and memory of Rothesay. Thanks to the Rothesay Living Museum, we are able to preserve these glimpses into the town’s working history.
