June 5 (PM)

National Ornamental Metal Museum

Memphis, TN

The Metal Museum is devoted to exhibitions of metalwork and public programs featuring metalsmiths.

 

 

Located on a 3.2 acre site overlooking the Mississippi River, the Metal Museum includes three historic buildings that had been part of a public health service hospital. 

It was deeded to the City of Memphis in the 1960s through the Heritage and Conservation Act.

The museum opened to the public in 1979 after an extensive renovation.

There is a foundry and working smithy on site.

 

 

 

 

There are over 3000 permanent items in the museum in addition to temporary exhibits. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

According to signage at the museum, “In recent years, the practice of artist blacksmiths has transformed.  Contemporary artist blacksmiths are creating original and cohesive bodies of work, works which engage not only with the practices and forms of traditional blacksmithing, with its focus on material, process and function; but also with many broader cultural, environmental and socio-political conversions. “