Ambroz Blacksmith Shop, Mossbank SK

Ambroz Blacksmith Shop, Mossbank SK

Mossbank and District Museum Inc. 2013

Blacksmithing was perhaps the most vital industry in small prairie towns during the first half of the 20th century. It both produced needed equipment and articles and, as importantly, kept them in operable condition. As well, blacksmiths generally did double duty as ferriers (horse shoe fitters) thereby keeping the primary source of farm power active as well as transportation of the farmers produce to markets.

During the 1920s, a Polish immigrant, Frank Ambroz purchased the blacksmith shop in which he had been employed. He served the Mossbank Saskatchewan area up until the 1970s from the same location.

This exhibit will serve to document blacksmithing equipment and processes as used at the Mossbank blacksmith shop formerly owned by Mr. Ambroz. It is the last operable in situ shop in Saskatchewan and as such has been registered as a Provincial Historic Site.

The exhibit will be in a book type format:

Chapter One will give a brief history of the Mossbank area, the “smithy” and a short biography of Frank Ambroz.

Chapter Two will describe the equipment in the shop and how it was used as well as some examples of the diverse line of products made there. These range from farming equipment to mundane household items such as door hinges.

Chapter Three will discuss the shop’s function today, as the centerpiece of the Mossbank and District Museum, to whom it was gifted after Mr. Ambroz died. By way of written word and photos, it will be shown how the shop fills its new role in educating the public by such things as blacksmithing demonstrations on special occasions such as Canada Day, as well as school tours and courses in the basic elements of blacksmithing as given by the Museum.