Local Blacksmiths Forge Tribute to America’s 250th Birthday
The collection will be available online and at the Wendell August Forge Flagship Store, located in Grove City.
PHOTO COURTESY OF WENDELL AUGUST FORCE
As the U.S. prepares to celebrate its semiquincentennial birthday, a local crafting company is creating a lineup of commemorative keepsakes to honor the nation’s historic milestone.
Wendell August Forge, a Mercer County-based blacksmithing manufacturer known for its local flair and modern twists on the ancient trade, has announced its official America250 collection. It will include a series of handcrafted commemorative items, from ornaments and coasters to barware and collectable gift pieces.
The collection, officials say, will blend “timeless craftsmanship with patriotic design” to create heirloom-quality gifts — all of which can serve as tangible connections to a once-in-a-lifetime national event.
“America’s 250th birthday is more than an anniversary — it’s a moment for reflection, gratitude and unity,” Christian Werner, owner of Wendell August Forge, says in a statement. “As a company proudly rooted in Pennsylvania, we feel a special responsibility to help commemorate this historic occasion. Every piece in our America250 Collection is handcrafted by American artisans and designed to celebrate the ideals that have brought our nation together for 250 years.”
Wendell August Forge is America’s oldest and largest forge; it celebrated its own centennial in 2023, having mastered the art of keeping an ancient trade fresh through partnerships with local businesses, sports teams and universities. It even released limited-edition NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, in 2022, tapping into online virality to reach a wider, younger audience.
The company says its America250 collection offers yet another opportunity to create meaningful keepsakes that can stand the test of time.
Some of the pieces don a commemorative logo, while others bear designs inspired by the “American experience,” the company says. Motifs throughout the collection include the American flag, the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Capitol Building, the Statue of Liberty and the Liberty Bell.
Many pieces can also be personalized with names, dates or special messages.
“We believe the America250 celebration should bring Americans together,” Werner added. “No matter our backgrounds or differences, this anniversary gives us an opportunity to celebrate our shared history, honor those who came before us, and look forward to the future we will build together. We’re honored to create handcrafted pieces that help tell that story.”
The limited-edition collection can be purchased online, or at Wendell August Forge’s Flagship Store in Grove City Premium Outlets.
