FOLEY, Ala. — The Baldwin County Commission on Tuesday will consider approval of a blacksmith shop at Bicentennial Park which will be built to size, incorporate Spanish and French architectural design and become one of the attractions in an 1830s-style village, according to John Jackson, director of the Department of Archives and History.

Members of the Baldwin County Blacksmith Guild, including Bill Williamson of Loxley, will provide free demonstrations and supply all materials, Jackson said.

“We will furnish the coal, a blacksmith and steel for free,” Williamson told commissioners Tuesday during a work session in Foley. “We just want to teach. You can make a nail and kids are fascinated.”

Williamson said a blacksmith could produce about 500 square nails a day. Nails were an important commodity for settlers. When relocating, they would burn down their dwelling and take the nails with them to utilize in new home construction.

Other items to be manufactured include cowbells and zippers. Plow blade sharpening also will be demonstrated. Williamson said coppersmithing will be utilized to make pots and pans.

Nick Warren, director of Bicentennial Park, said the exhibit is expected to attract students from surrounding counties for educational field trips.

“This is not just for Baldwin County,” Warren said. “We plan on having classes. “There will be a safety factor with lots of room when using hot iron, and there will be an open gallery for visitors to watch from outside.”

Bicentennial Park is about 2 miles south of Stockton on State Road 225.