Date of Award

2026

Document Type

Open Access Master's Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Industrial Heritage and Archaeology (MS)

Administrative Home Department

Department of Social Sciences

Advisor 1

Jonathan E. Robins

Committee Member 1

Timothy J. Scarlett

Committee Member 2

Daniel J. Trepal

Abstract

This thesis examines the archaeological remains of a nineteenth-century blacksmith shop associated with the Delaware Mine Site in Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula. Blacksmiths played an important role in early mining operations, providing the metalworking services and tool maintenance necessary to support mineral extraction. Drawing on evidence from the 2025 Michigan Technological University field school, the study investigates the shop’s operational lifespan, organization, and potential activities as it supported daily mining operations. Artifact analysis, spatial reconstruction, soil testing, and archival sources assist in reconstructing shop functions and history.

Results indicate that the shop was likely constructed during the earliest development of the mine and occupied a central position within the early surface plant. The blacksmith shop offers a snapshot of craftsmanship during a period of industrialization, within an increasingly mechanized and industrialized system. By focusing on a support shop, a space often overlooked in mining studies, this thesis contributes to broader discussions in industrial archaeology about labor, maintenance, and production beyond extraction itself. It also addresses the interpretive potential of the blacksmith shop at the Delaware Mine Heritage Site, arguing that craft spaces offer valuable insights into the everyday workings of industrial landscapes.

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