A city known for its centuries-old ironwork needs an expert who can keep it looking like new. Darryl Reeves is one of just a handful of restoration blacksmiths still working in New Orleans.

New Orleans

New Orleans is recognised for its historic ironwork, particularly in the French Quarter, where centuries-old designs remain a distinctive feature. Darryl Reeves, a restoration blacksmith, is among a small group of craftsmen working to preserve these iron elements and ensure their continued presence in the cityscape. Reeves describes his restoration work as a form of dialogue with the original artisans, whose techniques and designs he studies and replicates.

Historically, blacksmiths played a crucial role in the development of New Orleans. In earlier periods, both enslaved and free African American blacksmiths contributed significantly to the city's ironwork, often incorporating African symbols into their creations. According to Richard Campanella, a historical geographer at Tulane University’s School of Architecture, the introduction of new methods for melting and molding iron in the 1820s enabled more ornate designs and helped popularise cast iron galleries.

This evolution in technique became especially notable when Baroness Michaela Almonaster de Pontalba constructed two prominent buildings on Jackson Square in 1849, featuring intricate iron galleries that influenced local architectural trends. The style, sometimes described as "keeping up with the Pontalbas," became highly sought after throughout New Orleans.

Now in his seventies, Reeves is actively training the next generation of blacksmiths in the city. He expresses hope that the craft will endure, allowing the city's signature ironwork—and the tradition behind it—to be maintained for future generations.



Meet the craftsmen who keep the French Quarter's ironwork alive

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