Legendary iron worker Philip Simmons passes away (updated)

Image by The Philip Simmons FoundationImage by 20090623-iron.jpg

Update at the bottom.

Philip Simmons, Charleston's most celebrated blacksmith passed away Monday night, June 22. He was 97.

Simmon's wrought iron work can be seen all over the lowcountry, in the Smithsonian, South Carolina State Museum in Columbia and across the ocean in Paris and China. In 1982, Simmons was named as a National Heritage Fellow from the Smithsonian Institution.

The Post and Courier has a great piece on Simmons.

If you aren't familiar with his work, check out the Philip Simmons Foundation web site as well as a map of where you can find his works around the peninsula.

Update June 24: The Post and Courier has updated their coverage of Simmons, noting that the artisan preferred his work to be painted white. As such, the city asks locals to tie white ribbons to all ironwork in tribute, regardless of the smith.

The paper also has details on memorial services.

Also check out the paper's photo gallery.

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