master blacksmith ~ born on June 9

I
Philip Simmons ~ Master Blacksmith ~ Born on June 9, 1912
f events shape men’s lives, then surely Philip Simmons’ destiny began to take a
determined course, when, as a young boy of 8, he left Daniel Island for Charleston
to attend the first class at Buist Elementary School. On his way to and from school
he passed several blacksmith shops where the sparks attracted his attention. The
day after his 13th birthday, he was hired by Peter Simmons (no relation) as a helper
and apprentice. He made his first gate in 1948; today, approximately 1,000 ironworks
designed, fabricated or supervised by Philip Simmons grace hundreds of homes
and gardens in the U.S. His uniqueness lies not only in the body of work he created, but also in his reputation as a sensitive, hard-driving and resourceful man.
Every Saturday @ 2pm
Ironworks
Demonstration by
Carlton Simmons
(nephew)
or
Julian Williams
(apprentice)
Blacksmith Shop
30 ½ Blake Street
Charleston, SC
Every 4th Saturday | 2-4pm
1912–2013
It’s the 101st year of his birth!
join us in celebrating the life of PHilip Simmons
from shoeing horses, designing/fabricating window grills, gates,
stair railings, balconies and gazebos to being inducted into the
South Carolina Hall of Fame and receiving the national heritage
award that recognized him for being one of the “best” in his craft.
Hearts, Gates, and Grills
A walking tour with Sandra
Campbell, Licensed Tour Guide,
pointing out the works of Philip
Simmons in the Ansonborough
neighborhood. Tour leaves from
and returns to Simmons Heart
Garden at St. John’s Reformed
Episcopal Church, 91 Anson St.,
Charleston, SC.
Reservations required: $25
Philip’s 101st Birthday celebration!
June 8 | Open House
Home & Workshop of Philip Simmons
30 ½ Blake Street, Charleston, SC 29403
11am – 12pm
Tour Museum Home & Workshop and the
Wearable art by Art Access South Carolina
(formerly VSA South Carolina)
12 – 2pm
Introducing Barrettes – a collaboration of
Sweetgrass clips by Emily Johnson and batik
ribbons by Art Access South Carolina 2 – 2:30pm
Ironwork Demonstration – Carlton Simmons
& Julian Williams
3 – 4:30pm
The making of the Philip
Simmons Quilt presentation by Marlene
O’Bryant-Seabrook, Educator/Lecturer/
Fiber Artist
June 9 | birthday celebration!
Philip Simmons Garden at St. John’s
Reformed Episcopal Church
91 Anson Street, Charleston, SC 29401
2 – 3pm
Tour of Church and Garden ~ Learn the history
of the church and stroll through the topiary
garden. Enjoy the Silent Auction and display of
“Wearable Art” by Art Access South Carolina and
Philip Simmmons Foundaton, Inc.
3 – 4pm
Excerpts from “Fired Up and Focused” by the
late Michael E. Evans. Presented by members
of the Philip Simmons family.
4 – 5pm
Refreshments, Silent Auction
Philip Simmons Foundation, Inc., 30½ Blake Street, Charleston, SC 29403
www.philipsimmons.us
Philip Simmons Foundation, Inc.
preserving
a Legacy
T
he city of Charleston is
a museum of works by
Philip Simmons. Nearly
every neighborhood from
The Battery to Charleston
International Airport and
beyond has some type of
ironwork fabricated and
designed by Philip Simmons. The Philip Simmons Foundation, in
partnership with Sunhead Projects, is
documenting all of his works that include
sets of oyster knives, barbecue pits,
interior stair rails and dividers, as well
as his better known ironworks of gates,
window grills and balconies. There will
Photo by Claire Y. Greene be a DVD documentary, coffee table
book, walking tours, an updated curriculum for grades K-12, and a database that
will be available for public use.
On June 14, 2007, the National Trust
for Historic Preservation named
Philip Simmons’ Workshop and
Home in Charleston, S.C., to its 2007
list of America’s 11 Most Endangered
Historic Places. This workshop was
originally built by Guy Simmons
(no relation and also a slave) who
gave it to his son Peter in the late
1800s. Peter hired Philip at age 13 and
left him the shop in 1952. The Philip
Simmons Foundation, Inc., is
purchasing the site to be preserved
as a museum house and an operating
blacksmith workshop.
Donations may be sent to: Philip Simmons Home and Workshop Fund
Coastal Community Foundation | 635 Rutledge Ave. | Charleston, SC 29403
PhiliP simmons
master Blacksmith
Documenting a
77 Year Career
in Ironwork
Workshop of Philip Simmons
30 1/2 Blake Street, Charleston
As a fund raiser for this project, photographer
Jack Alterman is offering an limited edition
portrait of Philip Simmons. To view and
purchased, visit our website ~ only 88 available.
simmons online shoPPe • www.philipsimmons.us
a Brick for the heart garDen
The pathway in Philip Simmons Garden at St. John’s
Reformed Episcopal Church at 91 Anson Street in
Charleston needs more bricks to complete the project.
You can engrave into your brick (60 characters or less)
the name of parents, children, siblings, friends, class,
club, or your name with a donation of $25 per brick.
For more information, please visit our website.
Books • Cards • Calendars • Wrapping Paper • Limited Edition Prints
Silver, white or ancient gold bronze, tumboga metal and gold plated jewelry (special orders)~taken from designs in wrought iron by Mr. Simmons
Available for purchase online or from select museum shops in Charleston, Mt. Pleasant, Beaufort, McClellanville and Georgetown.