Even on the Northern Neck of Virginia, small and not very populated place that it is, blacksmithing is a thing.
In fact, Colonial Williamsburg Blacksmiths - Forging Links with the Past http://thehouseandhomemagazine.com/culture/colonial-williams... discusses Aislinn Lewis's path to becoming a smithy at Colonial Williamsburg. I learned about Aislinn when I worked at Rice's Hotel/Heathsville Tavern.
In fact, Colonial Williamsburg Blacksmiths - Forging Links with the Past http://thehouseandhomemagazine.com/culture/colonial-williams... discusses Aislinn Lewis's path to becoming a smithy at Colonial Williamsburg. I learned about Aislinn when I worked at Rice's Hotel/Heathsville Tavern.