As blacksmithing has been a trade by humans for hundreds of years it was especially important to society prior to the . It was important to this community as this trade helped pioneer's settle to make useful tools therefore making their lives easier and allowing the new society and community to flourish.

At this time blacksmithing was an important factor in population growth as the town without a blacksmith resident was a requirement to their community. As without a village blacksmith the members of the community would not have access to tools.'

Boys would become apprentices to the blacksmith starting at the age of 10. They would work for 7 years learning skills of the blacksmith. Once you started to apprentice you were not allow to quit! You owed the blacksmith 7 years of service. You did not get paid for your labour, but were given clothes and food. Once you completed your apprenticeship would would be able to get work whereever there was a forge.

Fall was a very busy time for the blacksmith. They had to make lots of horseshoes for the farmers and villagers. Horses would have their shoes changed to winter shoes. These have spikes on them to give them traction on the ice and snow in the winter.

For tourist that are interested in blacksmithing, Balls Falls offers classes throughout the summer for $130 a day (includes lunch) for everyone enjoyment.

Ball's Falls also provides school tours. One of the stops on this tour is in the Blacksmith shop. Where they learn about the apprenticeships and see the different tools involved in the trade. Students also get to help the blacksmith work with the tools and take whatever they make back to school with them. These students get to pound the metal and pump the bellows. Safety measures are put in place like wearing aprons, safety glass and gloves.

Directly beside the blacksmith shop is access to the Bruce Trail. Therefore when the hikers exit the Bruce trail the first thing that Bruce Trail hikers see when coming to Ball's Falls is the blacksmith shop.

Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority

Reference

"Station 3- Blackmith- 35 minutes" Ball's Fall's Conversation Centre, November 2nd, 2018

J. Walters-Klamer, Programming, Strategic Inititaives, Personal Communication, November 2nd, 2018