Getting the Fire Mrs. Tweedie 2010

Philip Simmons caught the blacksmith fever when he was thirteen years old. Philip Simmons caught the blacksmith fever when he was thirteen years old.

Since then the artist forged more than five hundred pieces of ornamental wrought iron. Most of his gates, fences, and railings decorate the coastal city of Charleston, South Carolina.

Several of his finest works are in museums.

To touch a Philip Simmons gate is to touch the past. His craft is over five thousand years old. In 3,500 B.C., Egyptian smiths shaped metal with hammer and fire. To touch a Philip Simmons gate is to touch the past. His craft is over five thousand years old. In 3,500 B.C., Egyptian smiths shaped metal with hammer and fire.

In Sierra Leone, West Africa, smiths have worked with brass and copper since the thirteenth century. In Sierra Leone, West Africa, smiths have worked with brass and copper since the thirteenth century.

From 1670 until 1863, thousands of West Africans were enslaved on the coast of South Carolina. Some were blacksmiths who passed the tradition on to their offspring. One descendant, a former slave showed Philip Simmons how to work iron. From 1670 until 1863, thousands of West Africans were enslaved on the coast of South Carolina. Some were blacksmiths who passed the tradition on to their offspring. One descendant, a former slave showed Philip Simmons how to work iron.

Like his ancestors, Mr. Simmons hammered life into a dead lump of iron. But he was the first African American smith known to forge animal figures. His fish and sly-eyed snakes look as lively as he felt. “I like action!”, he declared in his musical Low Country speech. Like his ancestors, Mr. Simmons hammered life into a dead lump of iron. But he was the first African American smith known to forge animal figures. His fish and sly-eyed snakes look as lively as he felt. “I like action!”, he declared in his musical Low Country speech.

For over eighty years, action guided Philip Simmons’s life and art. Born on June 9, 1912, he claimed he retired in Yet he remained excited about his craft. After a lifetime of seventeen-hour workdays, he still rose at 6 A.M. For over eighty years, action guided Philip Simmons’s life and art. Born on June 9, 1912, he claimed he retired in Yet he remained excited about his craft. After a lifetime of seventeen-hour workdays, he still rose at 6 A.M.

Mr. Simmons often woke with an idea for a new gate. “I see it finished completely in my mind,” he said. Before breakfast, he rolled a squeaky chair up to his office desk and sketched the design. Mr. Simmons often woke with an idea for a new gate. “I see it finished completely in my mind,” he said. Before breakfast, he rolled a squeaky chair up to his office desk and sketched the design.

Until his death on June 22, 2009, at the age of 97, he played “the old blacksmith tune” on his anvil, especially for young people. Youngsters were drawn to his friendly face and teasing ways. Until his death on June 22, 2009, at the age of 97, he played “the old blacksmith tune” on his anvil, especially for young people. Youngsters were drawn to his friendly face and teasing ways.

“You are a role model and a mentor,” a young fan wrote to him. “You are showing us we can do anything!” said another. “You are a role model and a mentor,” a young fan wrote to him. “You are showing us we can do anything!” said another.

Philip Simmons began his career as an untrained boy. He was called the Dean of Blacksmiths by professional smiths across the country. His memories showed that skill and patience take years of work. They also prove that everyone can achieve both. An honored artist, teacher, and businessman, Philip Simmons is a working person’s hero. Philip Simmons began his career as an untrained boy. He was called the Dean of Blacksmiths by professional smiths across the country. His memories showed that skill and patience take years of work. They also prove that everyone can achieve both. An honored artist, teacher, and businessman, Philip Simmons is a working person’s hero.