Preface
I am a Charleston based metal-worker and designer who has worked on the preservation of several U.S. National Historic Landmarks as well as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. I have worked in preservation primarily in the east coast United States, having worked at Colonial Williamsburg as a blacksmith and on other preservation jobs in the Low-Country area. I have appeared on the PBS programs This Old House for the restoration of a mid-19th century single home in downtown Charleston. I designed, forged, and constructed a two-leaf driveway gate in a historical Charleston style with the assistance of two other students. I am currently studying and working in the Paris region of France at Fondation Coubertin, the primary shop that maintains and preserves the Château de Versailles as well as the Louvre, as the third accepted non-Frenchman blacksmith in the history of the foundation to attend. During my time in France I have had the opportunity to work on the restoration of the Chapelle Royale at the Château de Versailles as well as being the only American ironworker present during the restoration of Notre Dame of Paris after the 2019 fire.
ABOUT ME
education
AMERICAN COLLEGE OF BUILDING ARTS Charleston, SC | Class of 2018
Bachelors of Applied Science in Forged Architectural Iron
– 3.41 Cumulative GPA
-Salutatorian
– Awarded “Phillip Simmons Award” for exceptional skill in ironworking
– Member of the National Technical Honor Society
FONDATION COUBERTIN 2018-2019
Domaine de Coubertin, 78470 Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse
Boursier de Serrurier at Ateliers Saint-Jacques
– Third American metalworker to be awarded a fellowship to attend
Work experience
ATELIERS SAINT-JACQUES
Serrurier (Locksmith/Blacksmith) September 2018-Current
- Participated in the restoration of Notre Dame of Paris after the 2019 fire.
- Participated in the restoration of different historic sites in France including Château de Villepreux and Château de Versailles using a mix of both modern and historic ironworking techniques.
- Required to understand and articulate in French at a professional level
- Required to learn and work with the techniques and standards of the Compagnons du Devoir
Domaine de Coubertin, Chemin du Pressoir, 78470 Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse
“THIS OLD HOUSE”
Lead Designer and Head Blacksmith for Driveway Gate | September 2017 – March 2018
COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG
Anderson Blacksmith Intern | June 2017-August 2017
- Required to learn and reproduce 18th Century forging, filing, and finishing techniques as well as learning to make reproductions of period pieces
- Required to research and have knowledge of 18th century life, specifically information that pertains to the immediate area and shop
- Required to communicate this information effectively to guest through interpreting.
310 E Duke of Gloucester St, Williamsburg, VA 23185 | (888) 965-7254
NATIONAL ORNAMENTAL METAL MUSEUM
Intern Blacksmith | June 2015-August 2015
- Worked with apprentice blacksmiths on large architectural pieces as well as various sculptures
- Worked alone on multiple jobs that required fabrication, as well as forging, techniques
374 Metal Museum Dr, Memphis, TN 38106 | (901) 774-6380
Appearances in MEdia
“L’Est éclair” French Newspaper Saturday May 11th, 2019
Featured on cover working on the restoration of Notre Dame
“This Old House” PBS SHOW Season 38, Episode 31 Hassel Street
Lead Designer and Head Blacksmith for Driveway Gate | September 2017 – March 2018
SKILLS
Metalworking: MIG welding, TIG welding and brazing, Acetylene torch welding and brazing, 5+ years of freehand forging experience (experienced in forging wrought iron, mild steel, and various high carbon steels as well as different alloys), competent at forge-welding, tapping and threading, heat treating and tempering, familiar with making jigs, experienced in open and close die making and forging, finishing and adding patinas, making sand mold for ferrous and non-ferrous casting, copper forge work, 5+ year of filing experience, decorative filing, chasing engraving, forging and joining mortise and tenon joints, competent at punching and drifting, competent at tool making. Adept at French repousse leaf-work.
Architectural: 5+ years of architectural hand drafting experience, experience in multiple architectural surveys, done preservation work for McLeod Plantation and Drayton Hall, competent drafting in CAD programs.
Other: Experience in traditional carpentry (making dovetails, half laps, mortise and tenon, hand planing, and carving), experience in traditional timber framing (cutting mortises, tenons, joining, and raising structure), basic understanding of timber framing layout (Scribe, Square, and Mill rule)