The rugged terrain around Swellendam damaged the vehicles of people coming to secure supplies, and Swellendam soon became a centre where blacksmiths and wagonmakers were in great demand.
smithy smithy_toolsWhen motorised transport was popularised in the twentieth century, the industry fell into decline. However, in rural areas carts were still being used and the museum was fortunate to acquire the entire contents of a smithy that only closed in 1969.
Most of the tools were made by the smiths themselves and show signs of many years of use. The hammer and anvil, and the forge with its enormous bellows, are the most important items in the smithy.