Dedicated to the preservation and advancement of the blacksmithing art and craft. Founded 11/4/1983.
BAM History
BAM was formed at a blacksmith hammer-in at Culver-Stockton College on November 4, 1983.
Bob Patrick had obtained the Missouri portion of the ABANA membership list and sent invitations to the hammer-in to each Missouri member. If memory serves, there were twelve individuals in attendance, including Doug Hendrickson, Bonnie Hendrickson, Steve Austin, Don Asbee, me (Bernie Tappel), Bob Patrick, Grady Holley, Steve Baker, and Robert Baker. There was another couple there, but I don’t remember their names and I don’t think they were ever active in BAM as I don’t recall seeing them ever again. Also, one of the professors from Culver-Stockton attended and again, I can’t remember his name. If anyone reading this was at the meeting and I left your name out, let me know so I can include it here.
The event was to be a two day hammer in (Nov 4-5) with a discussion about forming a state group and Bob invited everyone to bring items for a gallery showing at the college. As I recall, we had a very nice showing in the gallery for such a small group. Bob and Grady demonstrated at the meeting and one of the professors lectured and presented a slide show of some of his kinetic sculptures. Many of these sculptures were on display around the campus.
On Friday evening at a dinner meeting, Bob opened the discussion of forming a statewide blacksmith association. After a little discussion, we unanimously decided to form our organization. There were several suggestions for a name for the new group. Doug wanted to name it Artist Blacksmith Association of Missouri (ABAM) modeling the name after ABANA. Several of us didn’t like the artist connotation so Bonnie suggested we just call it Blacksmith Association of Missouri (BAM). This got a unanimous approval and so BAM was born.
Bob Patrick was elected the president, Don Asbee vice president, and Steve Austin secretary-treasurer. Bob volunteered to produce a newsletter and we decided to have periodic meetings at various members’ shops around the state. The first meeting was to be held at Austin Ironworks in Claycomo, near Kansas City in January 1984.
Shortly after the organizational meeting we had additional members join bringing our total membership to 20 and by February 1984 our membership had grown to 50 and we were on our way to becoming one of the best blacksmithing organizations in the country. A big thank you goes to Bob Patrick for making the effort to pull us all together and starting BAM on its way.
BAM Historical Data
(Based on research by Bob Stormer and Bernie Tappel)
