B A R N S & O U T B U I L D I N G S
~project sampler~
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Meadowhawk Barn
c.2006
Joined in red and white oak timber, this frame serves as both a horse and hay barn. The barn frame was designed to accommodate a future loft capable of supporting 39 tons of hay. We provided the timber "super-structure" and the owner placed the rafters and finished the roof, siding and interior stalls. Inspired by the "gable entry" Yankee barns of New England c.1850
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Aquilla Barn
c. 2009
This gable entry bank barn is located just up the road from us. The new barn sits on hallowed ground settled by my wife's ancestors in the 1810's, known locally as the Spencer Settlement. The original brick & timber house, c.1839, still stands, but the original barn, once located across the road from the house, is now gone. When the farm was parceled, the land the barn stood on was broken away from the homestead. The current owners attempted to buy the land, and the barn, back, but to no avail. The original barn eventually succumbed to disrepair and was razed many years ago. The new barn is located on the house side of the road.
The barn stands atop a foundation built into a hillside embankment. The framework is joined in eastern hemlock, with the exception of the white oak sills and cellar posts. The main barn doors are located in the east gable wall. The frame features a common rafter roof supported by canted purlin posts and purlin plates set normal to the roof pitch. This arrangement of timber allows the central portion of the roof to remain free of any horizontal beams. The barn's "attic", a floor set atop scaffold joists spanning from tie-beam to tie-beam, is accessible via a ladder integrated into one of the two interior cross-frames.
The barn's timber-framework was raised in a single day with the help of family & friends. We did not use any machinery or gin poles to assist in the lifting. All was accomplished with human will and muscle. The hosts served three wonderful meals and finished the day with home-made wine and live,old-time music.
The barn's roof is shingled in slate and the siding is rough-sawn, vertically ship-lapped eastern hemlock fastened with hand-driven cut-nails. We are currently completing the barn's trimwork and interior staircase. The exterior doors are graced with hand-forged iron strap hinges forged by William Rickard, a local blacksmith, tinsmith, and coppersmith.
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