Wendell August Forge

The original Wendell August Forge facility was a historic landmark in Mercer County, Pennsylvania. It is the last remaining working forge in the state. The company operates retail stores in Grove City, Berlin, Ohio and Wilmington, North Carolina; the forge and the stores are well-known tourist destinations. Wendell August was the first to use the repoussé process of manufacture, and has operated near Grove City since 1932. It produces a variety of merchandise, including Americana, such as bowls, figurines and ornaments, as well as commemorative items.

When it was built in 1932, the forge was a simple one-story rectangular building measuring approximately  by ; its frame was steel, constructed on a foundation of poured concrete.  That property was located in a primarily residential neighborhood.

2010 fire

The historic facility was destroyed by a fire on March 6, 2010 started by a spark from an electric ventilation fan.  The fire moved rapidly throughout the structure, pressing almost two dozen local firefighters into service.

While the building itself was a total loss, firefighters knew where the dies that were most crucial to the forge's regular operation were held and worked to keep flames away from that part of the building, and were able to save the majority of them.

Prior to the fire, Wendell August Forge had just completed a deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins, which had been the biggest purchase in the forge's history.  The deal was to produce souvenir tickets for the NHL team's final home game at Mellon Arena before it would be demolished to make way for its successor, CONSOL Energy Center.  Team owner Mario Lemieux offered to advance some of the money to the forge prior to the order's completion and after being assured that the order would be filled without a problem.

The forge was operating from temporary locations within five days with little disruption in service. For the next three years, factory and office operations were located at the old Cooper-Bessemer plant in Grove City with a temporary retail outlet at the nearby Slovak Folk Crafts.

Wendell August Forge was grandfathered under subsequent zoning changes made in the borough of Grove City since it first opened.  It could only be rebuilt if it complied with the current zoning regulations which was not feasible With the help of a state grant of $4 million, the forge relocated to a new location in a substantially larger facility and increased its workforce from 70 to 120.

On October 9th, 2013, Wendell August opened its new flagship store, factory and headquarters at 2074 Leesburg-Grove City Rd, 1/2 mile west of the Grove City Premium Outlets in Springfield Township, Mercer County, Pennsylvania. The new 52,000 square foot facility includes a history center and offers tours of the factory.

The company pioneered the production of hammered aluminum giftware, which it first produced in 1930.

References

External links

Company website
 WFMJ-TV - Wendell August Forge Opens New Headquarters in Grove City
 Wesex Corporation - A National Treasure Rises from the Ashes
 Allied News.com - Photo Slideshow from Wendell August Forge
 TribLive.com - Mercer's Wendell August embraces new home in return from fire
 Capacityspeakers.com - Will Knecht biography
 Allied News.com - Forge's past, future unwrapped at new locale

Category:Industrial buildings and structures on the National Register of Historic Places in Pennsylvania
Category:Buildings and structures in Mercer County, Pennsylvania
Category:Tourist attractions in Mercer County, Pennsylvania
Category:Industrial buildings completed in 1832
Category:National Register of Historic Places in Mercer County, Pennsylvania