World's first bladesmithing school relocates to Texarkana
TEXARKANA, Ark. (AP) — The world's first recognized school of bladesmithing will celebrate its recent move from Historic Washington State Park in Washington, Arkansas, to Texarkana College next month with an open house and ribbon cutting.
The event, marking the next chapter of the Bill Moran School of Bladesmithing, will start at 4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11 at the school's new facility — TC's Career Education Center Annex on Coolidge Avenue.
Tickets are also on sale for the school's first Fall Piney Woods Hammer-In to be held at the new location on Oct. 12 and Oct. 13.
The move will allow the bladesmithing school to offer more modern amenities while preserving its history and instructional methods, said Dr. Jason Smith, TC president.
The bladesmithing school was launched in 1988 in partnership with the American Bladesmith Society and was the first of its kind.
The open house will allow community members to see the new facility and will feature the dedication of the B.R. Hughes Classroom and the ceremonial forging of the first knife made in the new facility, the Texarkana Gazette reported.
Hughes, former Dean of Students for Texarkana College and one of the four founders of the American Bladesmith Society, was instrumental in bringing this unique program to Texarkana College.
"Thanks to him, our college has the oldest and most successful bladesmithing program in the world," Dr. Smith said.
"The curriculum is endorsed by the ABS — the leading authority on knives and blades — and the craft draws people who are looking to make their own knives, either as a hobby or to enhance their own profession."
Tickets are also on sale for the school's first Fall Piney Woods Hammer-In to be held at the new location on Oct. 12 and Oct. 13.
The Fall Piney Woods Hammer-In is an...