Funeral held for famed SC blacksmith

The State ^ | Jun. 27, 2009 | The Associated Press

[Peter Horry]

CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Funeral services will be held for a famed South Carolina blacksmith who died this week.

The Harleston Boags Funeral Home of Charleston says that the Saturday funeral for Philip Simmons has been moved to the Gaillard Municipal Auditorium to accommodate the large crowd that's expected.

[Peter Horry]

Below is some of the recognization Mr. Simmons has received as listed on his web site here http://www.philipsimmons.us/aboutsimmons.html

"Pieces of his work have been acquired as well by the National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution; the Museum of International Folk Art in Santa Fe, NM; the Richland County Public Library, Columbia, SC, the Atlanta History Center, Atlanta, GA,"

[JoeProBono]

[Daffynition]

Oh WOW! Thanks for posting this ...I thoroughly enjoyed learning about this incredible smithy! His work is extraordinary. I am so glad he was recognized and appreciated in his lifetime..."a poet of ironwork." So many arts like this have gone lost, like building a stone wall or a fireplace ..I am truly grateful for your post!

[kalee]

I have seen his work in Charleston and believe I have a small piece I bought at a gift shop.

[Peter Horry]

I was going to ask you if you were the one that once worked at Old Salem, in NC, but see you are on the Pennsylvania message board.... think he was out west.

It’s great that we still have skilled artisans who produce products of superb quality, unfortunately most of it is quite expensive. I believe the nephew of Mr. Simmons had been his apprentice for some time so maybe he will carry on with the work.

[fieldmarshaldj]

RIP.