Matthew Edel Blacksmith Shop

When visitors step into the Matthew Edel Blacksmith Shop today, they are transported back in time to more than a century ago — a time when the small town of Haverhill, Iowa, was a thriving market town, the nation relied on horsepower and everyday tools and items were repaired rather than replaced. A skilled blacksmith, German immigrant Matthew Edel owned the shop from 1883 until his death in 1940. He also was an inventor with an extraordinary sense for creating machines and tools, some of which he patented. Today, it's rare to find such a complete and original shop open to visitors, kept just as he left it the day he died. 

• State Historic Site History
• Guide with Site Activities, Vocabulary Words, Reading Recommendations and More
• Iowa's Connection to the World: Use this primary source set to view photos, videos, documents and more of innovators and inventors from Iowa that have had an impact on the world with their research and creations. 

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Solve the Word Search Puzzle

Find the listed words hidden in the grid of letters in this Goldie's word search puzzle. The words in this puzzle are inspired by Matthew Edel's inventions and work in the blacksmith shop. 

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Goldie at Home Activity

Matthew Edel invented and patented numerous tools to help him work, and this Goldie at Home activity will help you become an inventor, too. Goldie at Home activities connect Iowa history with STEAM education and include easy-to-follow instructions that require few materials. 

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Watch Videos

Explore the blacksmith shop and the lives of Matthew Edel and his family with these videos from the state historic site. 
     + Explore Matthew Edels Blacksmith Shop
     + Learn to Blacksmith at the Matthew Edel Blacksmith Shop

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Discover Additional Resources

Matthew Edel was an inventor with an extraordinary sense for creating machines and tools, some of which he patented. Observe and study his notable inventions and designs in this Iowa Culture essay, "Matthew Edel: General Blacksmithing and Master of Specialties."