The Forge At Cedar Hill is a small family owned business located in Historic Lancaster, Ohio. We are dedicated to preserving not only an ancient craft, but old world quality and craftsmanship as well. We blend 18th century skills with 21st century technology to provide you with the highest quality product available.
Our clients include Home and Garden TV (HGTV), The Rhode Island Convention Center and The Chromosomal Labs in addition to working with many interior designers, custom home builders, home owners and restoration enthusiasts.
We welcome any project, large or small. Whether you are a home owner looking for a special piece, a home builder or interior designer looking for that "wow factor" custom touch or interested in getting a piece restored-The Forge At Cedar Hill is the place for you! Contact us today!
Our work includes, but is not limited to: Handrails, Iron Furniture, Fireplace Accessories, Copper Water Fountains, Gates, Door and Window Hardware, Spiral Staircases, Unique Home Decor and Restoration and Repair of Iron Work.
Why do we do what we do here at The Forge At Cedar Hill?
We enjoy it!
We want to preserve an ancient craft.
We want our customers to have the option of owning custom designed iron work.
My name is Jeff Gawell and I am the blacksmith here at The Forge At Cedar Hill. My background is in Civil Engineering. I worked for the government for over 10 yrs before discovering my love for working with iron. At the time, my wife was employed by an attorney who was very interested in old world crafts. Through him, I was introduced to the world of antique tools and working with my hands. I apprenticed with a local blacksmith taking lessons from him in exchange for lending and extra hand around the farm where I gained many interesting lessons including milking goats and saw milling. With the support of my wife I changed my direction and focus and left my engineering field for a position with a large architectural iron work shop. Within five months, I was in charge of the shop and oversaw many changes and increased the quality of their iron work. I eventually left and went to another large iron work company where I learned to build the highest quality of handrails however, did not get much opportunity to do custom forging and work with my hands in the old world traditions which I had come to love. So I struck out on my own, opening The Forge At Cedar Hill and here I am today!
