Balcones Forge strives to make blacksmithing-related contributions to Central Texas communities

Ongoing projects include support of two historic forges, one at the Pioneer Museum in Fredericksburg and the other at Mission Espada in the San Antonio Missions National Historic Park.   Balcones Forge members have worked to restore the equipment at these forges and they also put on live demonstrations at these forges on special occasions.

Recently in Austin, vandals stole the Japanese characters (ideograms) from the Tea House that is part of the beautiful Japanese garden area at Zilker Botanical Gardens.  Thanks to the volunteer efforts of Rudy Billings and Scott Little, the Tea House at Zilker Botanical Gardens has been restored to its 1970 condition.  The characters mean, "Earth, Harmony, and Mankind".  

Here is the Tea House in its restored condition.