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Blacksmith shop new exhibit in Ryder Museum

Submitted Photo A partial reconstruction of an early 20th century blacksmith shop in Ryder is the newest exhibit in the Ryder Historical Society Museum.

RYDER – The newest exhibit of the Ryder Historical Society is a partial reconstruction of the early 20th century blacksmith shop owned by John Stueflat.

Emigrating from Norway after an apprenticeship at the Norwegian School for Blacksmithing, John Stueflat acquired the established blacksmith shop in Ryder. For 33 years he repaired, rebuilt and manufactured items of iron and steel for area farmers, the last 18 years with his son Ed Stueflat. In the years around World War II, demand for blacksmiths fell off, the shop was closed and the contents sold to Wendell Haugen of Ryder who installed them in his farm shop. Ed Stueflat would move to Minot and use his metal working expertise at Warner Construction.

The family of Wendell and Francis Haugen donated the contents of the shop to the Ryder Historical Society in 2017 and with generous financial support from the Stueflat estate this reconstruction was completed in the summer of 2018.

Access to this exhibit or any of the attractions of the Ryder Museum can be made by appointment, calling John Warner at 726-5663 or Faye Karna at 509-5137.

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