National Ornamental Metal Museum
The National Ornamental Metal Museum, now called the Metal Museum, is a museum in Memphis, Tennessee. Founded by artist-blacksmith James Wallace, the museum is devoted to exhibitions of metalwork and public programs featuring metalsmiths. History. The National Ornamental Metal Museum was originally a hospital. The historic hospital first opened in 1884. This hospital’s main use was treating civil war patients; however, it was also used as a scientific research center to explore curing yellow fever. Its estate originally comprised six buildings: a stable, a surgeon’s house, two wards, a nurse’s building, and  an executive building. Only the nurse's building and executive building remain in their most original forms. The rest demolished in the New Deal Program by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in the 1930s. The two surviving buildings were moved with wagons and mules while other buildings were added to the estate. In the 1960’s the hospital closed. According to the Museum’s website the Ownership was transferred to the City of Memphis by the Heritage and Conservation Act which eventually led to the Metal Museum gaining the lease. Jim Wallace was hired to orchestrate the metals museum in  about 1977.After 1979, Lots of work and money has gone into renovation to make the Metal Museum an interactive place for learning. About $2.5 million went into creating the Blacksmith’s shop, the Lawler Foundry and the repairs and restoration lab, constructing a gazebo, and restoring the library. Wallace led the museum for almost thirty years and with his guidance the museum became a place for artist residencies, an official museum, and a library. He retired in 2007 after completing the renovations to pursue his own work. Exhibits. The museum has over 3000 items in its permanent collection, and  also hosts travelling exhibitions. There is also a working smithy and foundry on site. In addition to displaying metalwork inside the museum they also offer hands-on classes in the museums workshops. Repair Days. Every Fall, the Metal Museum holds a Repair Days Weekend. During this event, volunteer metalsmiths from across the country repair virtually any sort of metal object while the public watches.