Entry No. 3 — the Memphis file — filed under: working forge

National Ornamental Metal Museum (the Metal Museum)

A dragon sculpture is bolted to the ceiling inside a museum that sits on the grounds of a former U.S. Marine hospital and doubles as a working blacksmith shop and foundry — the same crew has forged a sterling silver coffee-and-tea service for a nuclear submarine and barbecue-contest trophies. On weekends the smiths pour molten metal in the open-air forge while the free sculpture garden runs along a bluff straight above the Mississippi River.

The move: Time it for a Saturday or Sunday to watch a live foundry pour and blacksmithing demo, then wander the free riverside sculpture garden and duck into whatever rotating fine-metalwork exhibit is up inside (current show through July 31, 2026 is "What We Surround Ourselves With").

• 📍 South Memphis riverbluff, near Martyrs Park
• 💸 $$
• ⚡ Up for anything
• 🌗 Indoors

Where: 374 Metal Museum Drive, Memphis, TN 38106

Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current hours before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Further reading: Official site · Roadside America

last checked: 2026-07-20