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Darrell Markewitz
Darrell Markewitz has been blacksmithing, with a special focus on
historic work, since the late 1970's. He worked for a total of four years
at Black Creek Pioneer Village in Toronto, as primary smith for this 1860's
living history site in the late 1980's. In 1992 he established 'the Wareham
Forge' in lower Gray County (near Flesherton, Ontario), working full time
and concentrating on historic reproduction and original art designs. His
interest in the Viking Age actually goes back to the mid 70's (he started
at the forge because of his involvement with re-enacting). In 1993 he
combined his experience with living history museum, skill as an artisan,
and study of the Viking Age into the creation of the 'Norse Encampment'.
This series of living history programs includes the representation of daily
live in the Viking Age created for Parks Canada for L'Anse aux Meadows
NHSC. He has worked as a consultant and staff trainer on the Newfoundland
Museum's 'Full Circle - First Contact' and the Smithsonian's 'Vikings -
North Atlantic Saga.' His most recent museum project was the creation of
the 1000 square foot exhibit 'World of the Norse' for the Cranbrook
Institute of Science. Darrell was part of a special team assembled by Parks
Canada in 2001 that ran an experimental smelt at L'Anse aux Meadows. He has
organized a series of experimental smelts at the Wareham Forge, from 2002.
The Wareham Forge
World of the Norse
Norse Encampment
The Dark Ages Re-creation Company
The Dark Ages Re-creation Company is a select group of historic
re-enactors interested in detailed reconstruction of daily life in the
Viking Age. DARC draws its membership from Central Ontario. The
demonstration team is in turn hand picked from within DARC, providing a
core group of about 10 - 14. No other group in Canada, and few inside North
America, have as much direct museum experience. DARC was the only Canadian
group to take part in 'Norstead' in 2000 to mark the Viking Millennium. The
team has worked at the Canadian Museum of Civilization in conjunction with
'Vikings - NAS' and at the Woodstock Museum and the Cranbrook Institute of
Science in conjunction with 'Full Circle. As well as providing
demonstrations for a number of smaller traveling exhibits, they have
mounted a demonstration of period bronze casting at Brown University in
Rhode Island.
DARC members have a special interest in metalworking, especially
related to smithing. They have mounted two experimental iron smelting
projects to determine methods used by Viking Age smiths. As well as this
experience, individual members have assisted with experimental smelts
undertaken by other researchers.
The Dark Ages Re-creation Company
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