Throwback Thursday: Forged in Kentucky, the importance of metalworking thru time

SOUTH CENTRAL KENTUCKY – When we think about metal, we often think about strength—steel beams, factory floors, or the tools that build our world. But metalworking is also one of humanity’s oldest stories, shaped by creativity as much as necessity. This is the story of Kentucky metalworking and how our state’s past, present, and future rely on it; especially in our industries and even at the Equal Temperament exhibit at the Kentucky Museum.

Thousands of years ago, long before written history, early civilizations learned to transform raw ore into tools, weapons, and art. Ironworking emerged in the ancient Near East, and from there, metalworking spread across the globe—powering agriculture, architecture, and warfare, but also beauty. From cathedral gates in Europe to ceremonial blades in Japan, metal became a language of culture, skill, and identity.

At the center of these societies stood the smith—part engineer, part artist—crafting everything from humble nails to objects meant to last centuries. And while technology has evolved, that balance between function and imagination has never disappeared.

Here in Kentucky, metalworking has its own deep roots. Early blacksmiths supported frontier life, forging tools, horseshoes, and hardware that were essential to the growth of communities. Today, that tradition continues in two powerful ways: through industry and through art. The Kentucky Forge Council celebrates and promotes the preservation of blacksmithing thru hands-on experience and events.

Metal-based manufacturing has become a major economic engine for the Commonwealth. Aluminum, steel, and copper facilities now represent over ninety major projects, totaling two billion dollars in investment and tens of thousands of jobs—helping drive Kentucky’s modern economy while keeping skilled trades alive. The Metals Innovation Initiative was created by the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development in 2022 to connect all parties to work for the common good in areas like energy and transportation infrastructure, supportive public policy, and more and better-skilled workers.

But metalworking in Kentucky isn’t just industrial. It’s creative, personal, and that’s where the Kentucky Museum at WKU helps. The museum’s exhibition, Equal Temperament, brings together artists who work with metal—or draw inspiration from it—in unexpected ways. Each piece begins with the same constraint: it must fit inside a standard shipping box. From there, artists push the limits of form, meaning, and craftsmanship.

Over a 10-month run, the exhibition celebrates the diversity of modern metalworking, honoring works that are intricate, functional, humorous, puzzling, and deeply symbolic. The awards themselves are named after historic innovations in the craft—linking today’s artists to centuries of metalworking tradition. It’s a reminder that this ancient trade is still very much alive—and increasingly inclusive.

Throwback Thursday is brought to you by the Kentucky Museum.