About Us

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About Us *

The AACB, founded in 1965, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving, promoting, and advancing the art and craft of blacksmithing throughout the Appalachian region.

We are a community of makers—hobbyists, professionals, beginners, and lifelong smiths—brought together by a shared respect for tradition, hands-on learning, and the simple joy of moving hot metal. Through demonstrations, workshops, conferences, and local forge group meetings, AACB provides opportunities to learn new skills, share knowledge, and build lasting friendships.

Whether you’re lighting a forge for the first time or have decades of experience at the anvil, AACB welcomes men and women of all ages who want to learn, teach, and keep this historic craft alive. We believe blacksmithing is best learned together—one spark, one hammer blow, and one connection at a time.

Our Founders

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Our Founders *

  • Jud Nelson

    FOUNDER

    Jud Nelson was a lifelong craftsman, blacksmith, and tradition bearer who called Sugar Valley home for 75 years. He passed away at the age of 99, leaving behind a legacy deeply rooted in skill, service, and generosity.

    Jud worked for many years as a builder, woodworker, and cabinetmaker in Gordon County. His craftsmanship as a wagon builder was recognized in the Foxfire 9 folklore book, preserving his work as part of Appalachian history. He also operated a blacksmith shop, where he continued forging regularly well into his 90s. Widely known throughout the region, Jud demonstrated traditional blacksmithing at local fairs, craft shows, and community events. In 1981, he was invited by the Smithsonian Institution to demonstrate blacksmithing at the Festival of American Folklore.

    Jud’s life exemplified the values of craftsmanship, mentorship, and community that AACB strives to preserve. His anvil may be quiet, but his influence continues to ring on.

  • Joe Humble

    FOUNDER

    Respected for both his skill at the anvil and his leadership within the craft, Joe believed strongly in education, mentorship, and the sharing of knowledge. He understood that blacksmithing thrives when traditions are passed from one generation to the next, and he worked tirelessly to support opportunities for learning and growth within the blacksmithing community.

    In recognition of his lasting contributions, AACB honors Joe’s legacy through two enduring tributes: the Joe Humble Scholarship, which supports training and education for blacksmiths, and the Joe Humble Hammer Award, presented to individuals who exemplify service, dedication, and commitment to the craft. These honors reflect Joe’s belief in craftsmanship, community, and the responsibility to give back.

    Joe Humble’s influence continues to be felt throughout AACB and beyond. His leadership, generosity, and passion for blacksmithing helped lay the groundwork for future generations, ensuring that the fire of the forge remains lit for years to come.

  • Joe Neely

    FOUNDER

    Joe Neely, a lifelong resident of Wildwood, Georgia (1928–2018), was a founding member of AACB whose life reflected a deep commitment to both craft and community. A boiler welder in Chattanooga by trade, he carried forward the tradition of blacksmithing learned from his father and grandfather, where the steady rhythm of hammer on anvil became a lasting symbol of his time and teaching.

    Joe believed in the value of passing knowledge from one generation to the next, not only through blacksmithing but through a life rooted in tradition. Whether tending his garden, keeping bees, baking bread, or sharing stories and skills, he embodied a way of life grounded in patience, hard work, and connection to the land. His legacy continues to reflect the spirit of craftsmanship, heritage, and mentorship that AACB strives to preserve.


    Joe Neely’s life reflected the values of craftsmanship, tradition, and stewardship that AACB continues to honor today. His dedication to blacksmithing, family, and preserving the ways of earlier generations remains an enduring inspiration to smiths throughout the region.

  • A.P. Billingsley

    FOUNDER

    A.P. Billingsley specialized in traditional hand-forging techniques and the preservation of colonial-era metalworking skills. His work reflected the practical and artistic needs of the Appalachian region, from functional hardware such as hinges and latches to decorative scrollwork and leaf forms. He was especially known for his commitment to mentorship, focusing on proper hammer mechanics and anvil posture to help new smiths develop strength, control, and consistency.


    A.P. Billingsley passed away in 2009 at the age of 88.A native of Marion County, Tennessee, he was a longtime member and deacon of Central Church of Christ and a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He retired in 1986 after 35 years of service with Southern Wood Piedmont Company.

    His contributions to AACB and his commitment to teaching continue to influence and inspire blacksmiths throughout the region.

  • Bill Planzer

    FOUNDER
    Send info on Bill Planzer to aacbnewsletter65@gmail.com