In the 1800s, covered wagons were the backbone of westward migration. These wooden “prairie schooners” carried supplies and people across rough trails, but they depended on iron parts and the skill of blacksmiths to keep them rolling. Broken wheels, worn axles, and loose fittings were common, and blacksmiths were community problem-solvers who fixed broken parts. Visitors will see how wagons were maintained and watch blacksmiths as they shape the tools and hardware that made traveling to the West possible.