Philip Simmons

One of Simmons' most photographed works is the Egret Gate at 2 St. Michael's Alley in Charleston, South Carolina. Philip Simmons (June 9, 1912 – June 22, 2009) was an American artisan and blacksmith specializing in the craft of ironwork. Simmons spent 78 years as a blacksmith, focusing on decorative iron work. His pieces are displayed at the Smithsonian Museum, South Carolina State Museum, Paris, France, and China. He was raised by his grandparents, before being sent to Charleston in 1920 to live with his mother when he was 8 years old.

Simmons also created smaller, metal objects to supplement his income, including tools, shutter dog and fireplace pokers. The book was re-released as a second, updated edition eleven years later.

A documentary on Simmon's life titled Keeper of The Gate won the 1995 Southeastern Regional Emmy Award in the category of Cultural Documentary. It was written and directed by David Flander. Simmons and Flander struck a friendship during filming and remained friends. They would go to local Charleston sporting events together.

In 2006, Simmons received an honorary doctorate from South Carolina State University for his contributions to the field of metalworking.

Later life Simmons moved from his home to the Bishop Gadsden Retirement Community in Charleston in the spring of 2008. That year's fellowships were the first bestowed by the NEA. On January 31, 1994, he was inducted into the South Carolina Hall of Fame. The sports teams of all three schools are named the Iron Horses in his honor.

List of awards

1982, National Endowment for the Arts, National Heritage Fellowship 1982, Lifetime Achievement Award, South Carolina General Assembly for "lifetime achievement" and commissions for public sculptures by the South Carolina State Museum and the city of Charleston 1994, South Carolina Hall of Fame, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 1998, Order of the Palmetto, the highest civilian award given in South Carolina, by Governor David Beasley 2001, Elizabeth O'Neill Verner Governor's Award for "Lifetime Achievement in the Arts"