In our inaugural interview we’d like to welcome Carmen Legge to The Oak Island Compendium. Our favorite Blacksmith has been a fixture on “The Curse of Oak Island” since Season 6, rendering his expert opinion on objects found on Oak Island.And without further ado, here’s Carmen.
1. How long have you been a blacksmith and how did you learn the trade?
“I've always been interested in the woodworking and metal trades. Fortunately, we had both traditional types around my area. Family and friends were practicing these crafts as I grew up watching and learning. 20 years ago, I had the opportunity to practice blacksmithing, and other skills, at the Ross Farm Museum located in New Ross, Nova Scotia. Most of my blacksmithing skills and knowledge were gained on the job. I say 1/3rd of my training was from an elder gentleman who taught me what to do, another 1/3rd was from a gentleman who taught me what not to do, and another 1/3rd was taught by myself with assistance by reading books, studying videos, researching archives and museums, etc.”
2. Tell us about when you began working at Ross Farm Museum and what are your duties there?
“When I started at the Ross Farm Museum, I was the ox teamster. During my 1 hour, noon hour, I would wolf down my lunch and head down to the blacksmith shop and watch the senior blacksmith, who only had a half-hour lunch time. Quietly sitting nearby, I would watch and learn, occasionally asking a question. He saw I had an interest, and he was about to retire. I would ask him how such and such was made. He'd show me, and say, 'Now, you make a few and I'll look at them later". He would say what was done right and how to improve. Turned out, I was good at it, and took his place when he retired, making everything a traditional blacksmith would make, but concentrating on making ox shoes and shoeing. Basically, retired now, myself.”
3. How has your life changed since you appeared on The Curse of Oak Island?
“I have received much acclaim since being on the show. People notice me, or contact me, and want to say how much I add to the show. I am flattered, but not used to the attention. I enjoy identifying artifacts and have had the opportunity to do more of that since being on the show.”
4. Is there one artifact that you’ve been asked to evaluate that really caught your attention and made you say, "wow, that shouldn’t be there"?
“A series of artifacts has caught my attention being odd to the island. Those deal with tunneling and mining like the rock drill sharpening swage, hand point, pick axes, and another item of which I cannot say anything about yet. Of course, the lead cross is very interesting, and what it could mean.”
5. Tell us your hobbies and what you like to do when you’re not working as a blacksmith?
“I like woodworking, volunteering in a historical context, writing, biking, playing cards, gardening, landscaping, painting, dabbling in real estate, and travelling.”
6. People always talk about you being subtitled by the show, can you tell our readers why you are subtitled?
“When the show started, a focus group was shown an episode or two. Viewers who lip-red could not read my lips, so production decided to subtitle much of what I say. Also, as I'm shown an item, I tend to orate my thoughts as I examine the item, and my speech is sometimes disjointed.”
7. What is your theory on what happened on Oak Island? Do you believe that something important happened there?
“With the amount of work evidenced on Oak Island something monumental went on there many years ago. Much beyond mere treasure hiding. Of all the recorded research done over many years, I still have no clue what went on there, or for what reason.”
8. You have mentioned that you'd like to get called over to see objects exactly where they are found. Why is that?
“I would prefer to see artifacts in-situ as that gives me context when evaluating an item. Was it found high inland, or near the beach, or in the swamp, or in the money pit itself? Was it deep, or shallow? Was it an only item, or one of many? What other items were nearby to suggest an activity? How was it oriented? It can add clues as to the purpose of an item.”
9. Tell us about your book “Oxen, their care, training and use”? Do you have plans for any others?
“The book, "Oxen: Their Care, Training, and Use" is intended to be a manual for those who wish to perpetuate the joy of using oxen. It can be a pleasure for both man and beast. Not much has been published about training and using oxen. It is hoped this book will help to rectify that. I have another book coming out soon. This is a dialogue type novel about two days in the life of a blacksmith in the mid-1960s. It features the antics of the people at the shop, and the hilarity and sadness that comprise the nostalgia of storytelling in that time.”
“Thank you for the opportunity to share a bit about myself", Carmen Legge.
The Oak Island Compendium would like to thank Carmen for kindly answering our questions. Please visit our “Suggesting Reading” section where you can find a link to Carmen’s book, “Oxen: Their Care, Training, and Use". When Carmen’s new book is published, we will announce it and add that link to our section. Thank you for reading, we hope you enjoyed it. Look for another interview coming soon.
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