Joshua

Joshua became interested in blacksmithing and bought his first anvil when he was in high school from the father of a good friend. He went on to become a blacksmith and a wood and metal shop (high school) teacher.

In 1998 he came across the book “Anvils in America” by Richard Postman. The book sparked his interest in anvils.

From that book he got the address of the manufacturer of Fisher & Norris anvils, Crossley Machine Co, and in 1999 he drove to that address to see what remained. The factory itself was no longer in operation but the building stood.

There were people inside who gave him a tour and told him they were preparing for an auction of the contents and demolition of the building in just a few months. Joshua spoke to the owner who told him he could have whatever he wanted so he spent the next 50 days combing through the building salvaging anything he could.

His fascination grew and he continued collecting building the only complete collection of every type of anvil Fisher & Norris made.

To house the collection he built a museum on his property, it became the Fisher & Norris Anvil Museum. After spending 20 years putting the collection together he published “The History of Fisher & Norris” in 2020.

I asked Joshua how he thought all of this fascination with Industrial tools started. He shared a memory of finding a skeleton key outside his home when he was just 4 years old. He was fascinated.
He still has that key and it is featured in this painting.

Oil on cradled wood panel