Reddit mentions of A Blacksmithing Primer: A Course in Basic and Intermediate Blacksmithing

Your best resource is the resident blacksmith. But here are the books I've taught myself with:
* The Backyard Blacksmith by Lorelei Sims

• The Art of Blacksmithing by Alex Bealer
  
• The Blacksmith's Craft by Charles McRaven
  
• Practical Blacksmithing by M.T. Richardson
  
• Practical Blacksmithing & Metalworking by Percy W. Blandford
  
• A Blacksmithing Primer by Randy McDaniel
  
  I am incredibly jealous of your opportunity, that living history stuff always seems like a blast.

You need a big piece of heavy metal to use as an anvil. A lot of people like to use a section of railroad track mounted to a stump. For more money you can find a real anvil on craigslist or at local farm auctions for a few hundred dollars, depending on your area. Then you need a forge to heat the steel. Here is a plan to make one out of an old brake drum and shop vac. Last thing you need is hammer, a 3lb engineers hammer is a good one to start with.

I would recommend getting a book like A Blacksmithing Primer. It with take you through all the basics. Also check out /r/Blacksmith/ and other online blacksmith communities like IforgeIron.com