May 2025 • Nebraskaland 25
Keefer to join the Friends of Fort
Atkinson in 2023. He realized that life
was too short.
"If it wasn't for the unfortunate,
untimely passing of my dad and my
uncle, I never would have had the
gumption to pick up blacksmithing,"
Keefer said. "Dean, with his wisdom
and his years of knowledge and
experience … I fi gured if I was going
to learn something from somebody, it
had to be him."
Slader has been an enthusiastic
teacher to his young apprentices,
receptive to new ideas and ways to
approach projects, Keefer said. In
return, Slader's apprentices eagerly
receive the older gentleman's
knowledge with reverence. All have
committed to the ongoing work of
research and practice that is the
beating heart of living history.
"Dean has no problem standing right
there with you and maybe bumping
you or whatever. 'Hey, lift your
elbow like this.' Or, 'Hey, turn your
hand … '," Keefer said. "Every single
time that I'm with him, it's always a
learning experience."
Perfection
Despite Bansen's previous
education, tending a coal forge at Fort
Atkinson and setting the temperature
on his propane forge at home was
night and day diff erent. Getting used
to the early-1800s setup was his
This style of hook is unique to Fort Atkinson, and during the fort's height, as many
as 2,800 hooks may have been driven into its walls.
Living
History
Schedule
May 3-4
May 31-June 1
July 5-6
Aug. 2-3
Sept. 6-7
Oct. 4-5
Nov. 1 - Candlelight Tour
A park entry permit is required
of all vehicles entering Fort
Atkinson SHP. Paid reservation
required for the Candlelight
Tour.
For more information, visit
fortatkinsononline.org or call
402-468-5611.
