The Clark Blacksmith Shop

Built around 1850 by Arza Clark, who came from a family of blacksmiths, the building was constructed of locally quarried, seam-faced granite. It remained a working shop until 1930 when the entire building was dismantled, piece by numbered piece, and moved to Storrowton Village Museum in West Springfield, MA. (The Big “E”)  There, it continues as a smithery, educating the public in the fine art of blacksmithing. Some of the forge’s stones, as well as the nail bench, were also moved to Storrowton. The original bellows were initially used but have since been replaced. Hardware forged in Chesterfield, such as window “shutter dogs” and front door fasteners, are still seen today in the Town Hall and the Asbury Church. 

The Old Blacksmith Shop

By Fredrick C. Robinson

We took you for granted, little stone shop,

Little dreaming that you would ever go,

Measured and tagged, part of a garnered crop

Of antiques being exhibited for show.

Here farmers once gathered in friendly talk,

And watched the glowing fire, the hammered sparks,

Hearing the ring that forged the pointed calk.

Then you were one of the ancient landmarks;

Nought now but ash to try the soul upon.

But 'tis with buildings as with trees and men,

Today they are here, lo, tomorrow gone;

Now dim shadows in our dreams, And when

They say, "It's just as well," it's merely to bluff

The lonely heart which holds sorrow enough.

( From "Lake Spofford Poetry" - 1943)

"The lean-to was the carpenter shop of Robert C. Goodrich (my Dad). The building in the rear of it was a storage shed for Chester Puffer's farm tools in winter. Lee Higgins (left) is the blacksmith with Robert Goodrich (right). He was the last known blacksmith to operate the shop. The dog was Lee Higgins." (Photo gift from Ruth Berry, daughter of Robert C. Goodrich)

Memory of Blacksmith Shop

“In the fall of 1929 Laura Green, Mrs. J.J. Atema, and I came to Chesterfield to be the teachers in the local school. On weekends we wandered about town, going thru cemeteries, the local jail*, and the blacksmith shop in a field between Mary Webb’s and Henry Chickerings if my memory is correct. That winter (1930) a team of men came to take it down. They boarded at “The Pillars” where we did. It was interesting to hear how carefully it was being removed, piece by piece and every piece being numbered and recorded.” 

Mrs. Virginia Chickering

22 April 1988

*At that time the local jail was attached to the Town Hall.

Newspaper Articles about the Move to Storrowton Village Museum

Biography of Helen Storrow and the Creation of Storrowton Village Museum

Why they moved the Blacksmith Shop

(Located at the Big E, West Springfield, MA)

Photos of the Interior of the shop are courtesy of

Storrowton Village Museum

1305 Memorial Avenue
West Springfield, Massachusetts 0108
9413-205-505
1storrow@thebige.com