NEGAUNEE — The sights, sounds and smells of 19th- and early 20th-century arts and crafts return to the Michigan Iron Industry Museum in Negaunee with the second annual “Artisans at the Forge.” The event, highlighting skills of pioneers who settled on the Marquette Iron Range, takes place 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, and Sunday, Aug. 6. Admission is free.

The event name gives a nod to the history of its location. The Michigan Iron Industry Museum sits on the historic site of the Carp River Forge, the first iron manufactory in the Lake Superior region, in operation from 1848 to 1855.

“We wanted to re-create an atmosphere of pioneers at work making their goods,” said Michigan Iron Industry Museum historian Troy Henderson. “As visitors tour the museum grounds, they not only can watch active blacksmiths, bladesmiths and other traditional tradespeople at work, they can interact with the artisans to learn more about their lives and their work.”

Costumed craftsmen and women appearing at the event will include bladesmith Dan Choszczyk of Champion, outdoor cook Deborah Choszczyk of Champion, blacksmiths George Potvin of Bark River and Dena Bliss of Sault Ste. Marie, and jewelry maker Kristin Boyea of Cheboygan. Artisans will have products of their work for sale at the event.

“It is a great way to learn through experience, as well as support these traditional artisans,” said Henderson.

The Michigan Iron Industry Museum is a nationally accredited museum located at 73 Forge Road in Negaunee, eight miles west of Marquette; enter off of U.S. 41. For more information, call 906-475-7857 or visit www.michigan.gov/ironindustrymuseum.