Forged in friendship and fire, a large skeleton makes its inaugural appearance at the wheel of the tractor directing visitors to Heritage Acres this year.
Ahead of its appearance at the corner of Lochside Drive and Island View Road, the skeleton clad in a cowboy hat, boots and gloves, sits next to the hot coal fire where it was made. Built of scraps, the figure came from the minds of the men who hang about the Ralph Bartley Blacksmith Shop at the 29-acre venue.
Between them, the men bustling about the warm shop have boundless knowledge, skill, artistry and curiosity, says Doug Philp.
“It’s a lot of fun learning these old school, old world skills from the more experienced fellows,” he adds, gesturing to Willy, Joe and Harry, as they make magic wands and fix a pitchfork at the coal-fired forge nearby.
“Each piece of steel has got its own character and they figure out how to deal with it. So there’s a lot of creative thinking and technical skill that go together.”
Philp is among those who moved west upon retirement. When he landed seven years ago, he started spending Wednesdays with his best friend Harry, who’d come to B.C. 20 years earlier and discovered the historic site managed by Saanich Historical Artefacts Society and the Vancouver Island Model Engineers.
A former board member, most of his time is now spent in the blacksmith shop.
“We make parts for the park when they need gate hardware, parts for tractors or the sawmill, bars for windows, anything they need. And when there isn’t a specific project, then we’ll make things like magic wands to sell on event weekends and under the counter in the museum,” Philp said.
After seven years spent hanging about, Philp figures there’s a chance he’s nearing his first year apprenticeship.
It’s really a hands-on learning experience at Heritage Acres, he said, not only for volunteers but also for visitors. The scents and sights of the blacksmith shop are open to the public during events, with a rope keeping folks far from the coal-burning forge and sparks. They can see a hunk of old railing become a magic wand – with heating, pounding, heating, twisting– complete with a glass bead or marble topper.
Around the room, handmade tools and jigs line the walls and hang from rails. Many are handmade to fit their specific use, and some are donated. The one standout modern modification is the electric motor for the fire fan and the power hammer, rather than steam power, which would have been used way back when. [gps-image name=”42196966_web1_260429-PNR-HeritageAcresBlacksmithShop_4.jpg”]
It’s not the only building actively in use. In the adjacent carpentry shop, tables, benches and other wood repairs are crafted.
“When the park needs something built or refurbished, we do it here,” Philp said.
The society recently introduced a self-guided tour of the heritage buildings and a massive collection of antique vehicles, carriages, farming equipment and steam engines. The Michell building, named for the earliest and longest supporter of the Saanich Historical Artefacts Society, boasts a museum packed with history.
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Train tracks criss-cross the site as the other operator of the venue, VIME, provides rides on members’ 1/8th full-size trains, which course a mile of track around the Central Saanich attraction with riders atop.
Amid the old vehicles, a couple of more artistic pieces stand out. A rocket borne of the creativity and energy of Harry and Philp stands outside the blacksmith shop. Plus, there’s this new guy, built of metal scraps – including a propane tank skull – who will guide visitors from atop the iconic tractor at the corner.
The site is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. now through Sept. 30.
Visit heritageacresbc.com for a list of scheduled events.
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