Monthly Archives: July 2013

The Ultimate (Corn) Crib

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Tucked away in the woods of Vermont is a beautiful hardwood timber frame, refinished from an original post and beam corn crib that was built in Ira, VT around 1800.

TImber Frame Corn Crib

Corn Crib turned Hunting Camp!

To get up to the original old barn, we had to drive up the side of a very steep hill. We couldn’t have easily hauled these old beams out without the help of modern ingenuity.

Dan McKeen Moving the Timber Frame Beams

Transporting the Timber Frame

With its secluded setting and cozy living quarters, I like to call it the “corn crib honeymoon shack.” We built it for a newly married couple.

All hard wood, predominantly beech, I had the pleasure of raising these timbers anew about five years ago. Working side by side with Luke and Nathan – two young fellas who’ve got a knack for timber framing – we completed the project in about two months.

Green Mountain Timber Frames restoring a historic corn crib

Assembling the timber frame

What is this restored timber frame used for today?

Today, the restored frame stands tall, alongside another building called “Shotgun Pappy’s Shack. This spot is now a hunting camp, where men and women come out to shoot skeet.

Vermont Hunting Camp

Vermont Hunting Camp

Far away from large population centers, the restored frame and Pappy’s Shack are located in a spot perfect for shooting practice. And the addition of the restored corn crib allows the owners and their friends to stay overnight during bird hunting expeditions.

We built the restored corn crib in this spot to allow for overnights at the camp – a secluded getaway where the owners can enjoy the view.  And I was thrilled when just last week, the folks called just to say they were up there and enjoying it. All these years later, and this fine frame is still hosting many a lively evening!.

Corn Cribs – for more than just corn!

In the early 19th Century, these early timber frame corn cribs had second floors which, to the best of my knowledge, were used as sleeping quarters. From clues found during the dismantling process, this particular frame, from Ira, VT, was definitely used to house the hired man.

Building the Timberframe Old Barn in Vermont

During construction

Later on, in New England and in the Midwest, these types of corn cribs were designed solely for storing corn. Where I grew up in the mid-west, my grandfather had a corn crib out in Wisconsin that was quite big compared to the early Vermont ones. But despite the larger size, those mid-western structures were used only for storage rather than housing.

While this frame is not for sale, I do have other beautiful timber frames for sale at my shop.

Please feel free to check out my old barns for sale! I’d love to give you the grand ol’ tour! You can see them on my website or in person!

Vermont Moose Near Corn Crib Post and Beam Property

EVERYONE is invited to see the frames!

The Gazebo Gets a Cedar Roof

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Last week, we finished putting the roof on the Timber Frame Gazebo. Despite the 95+ degree heat, to which we timber frame builders in Vermont are not accustomed, we sweated it through and completed the framing project in a few days. It really was fantastic heat for a couple of ole timers, so we started and ended early each day and headed to the pond or pool for an afternoon dip!

American Arts and Crafts Movement Red Cedar Roof Vermont TimberframeWe are satisfied with the results and I think even the Greene brothers would be pleased! In this picture, you can see how we laid the roof boards. Because cedar shakes need to breathe, we left 3/4 inch spaces between each of the boards.

Cedar Roof Slats on Timber Frame Vermont

                   Cedar Roof Slats

To complete the gazebo, a stone mason will be adding stone work around the edge of each masonry pillar anchoring the post and beam frame. In the photo below, you can see a mock-up to offer a sense of how the stone pillars will look when finished.

Timber Frame Vermont

         Mock Up of Stone Masonry

These turkeys seem to think it might be a fine place to roost!

Vermont Timberframe Turkeys

“We’ve found the perfect roost!”

While this isn’t a timber frame for sale, we have plenty of available frames in stock at Green Mountain Timber Frames. And we are always having fun with new and exciting projects – from reclaimed timber frames and custom barn homes to timber frame restoration and green barn homes here in Vermont and throughout New England.

We would love to hear from you – or show you around our shop during a visit to Middletown Springs, VT. 

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The Timber Frame Gazebo

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Available Timber Frames Vermont

Existing Gazebo – Replicated in Vermont

What do you get when you mix a timber frame and a gazebo?

Around the turn of the century, architects and brothers, Charles and Henry Greene designed beautiful structures like this gazebo, using classic post and beam styling. The Greene brothers were active mostly in California, but they built houses across the country and studied architecture at MIT in Boston. To this day, they are recognized as some of the best representatives of the American Arts and Crafts Movement.

Here at Green Mountain Timber Frames, I am currently working with clients who wanted to create a gazebo in Vermont based on pictures and measurements they had made from an existing Greene-styled structure in Rhode Island. To start the process, I called in James Platteter, an extraordinary period furniture maker – check out his web site.  Jim provided the mechanical drawings for the structure the old fashioned way – with hand drawings, not a CAD program. Next, we ordered beautiful new timbers of white oak wood and began to shape and form them into the various segments needed to create the wooden gazebo.

White Oak Timbers for Vermont Timber Frame Gazebo

White Oak Timbers
For Vermont Timber Frame Gazebo

Gazebo Parts for Timber Frame

Piecing Together the Gazebo

Working carefully, with attention to detail, we were able to accurately replicate the Greene brothers’ architectural style. We spent a collective 450 hours building and raising the American Arts and Crafts style frame. Our clients also chose to join the fun by taking part in the raising.

Historic Timber Frame Gazebo American Arts and Crafts Architecture Historic Timber Frame Vermont American Arts and Crafts Architecture The Greene Brothers architectural style is notably influenced by a variety of cultures. Elements of Japanese, Chinese, Art Nouveau and Arts and Crafts styles can be seen in their work. We tried to duplicate this eclectic style in the gazebo. We carefully chiseled the ends of the white oak timbers and the diagonal braces to replicate “floating clouds”. Using this hand chiseling technique, we gave the wooden pieces more shadow lines and rounded edges. This style creates a softness that is pleasing to the eye and works well in the design of this gazebo. Jim and I feel very fortunate to have had this opportunity. Now that the frame is complete, we will finish the frames roof  by applying red cedar shakes. A stone mason will also be working on the frame, wrapping the block foundation in field stone. When the gazebo is finished in the next week or so, we will be sure to post a picture!

At Green Mountain Timber Frames we do frame restoration, replicas of historical properties, new timber frame structures, and we also have old timber frames and barns for sale. If you would like to discuss a project or see one of the Vermont timber frames we have in stock, please do contact me. www.greenmountaintimberframes.com

An Evening of History, Music & Timbers

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After working for so many months to restore this Vermont timberframe, I was looking for an excuse to invite friends to come on over to Sissy’s Kitchen and see the restored frame.

This gunstock barn was originally from Pawlet, Vermont, so I wanted some of the people from the town to come and see the restored frame.

My second passion aside from timber framing is music, so when a former client of mine told me that 3 Penny Acre, a very fine band from Arkansas, was traveling through Vermont and staying at their own barn style home, I saw an immediate opportunity.

Historic Restoration_Celebration of New England Heritage

Invitation to a night of music at Sissy’s

The band was looking to add another gig to their tour, and I thought the frame would make an ideal spot for a night of mellow music, delectable food and starry skies.

I checked in with Sissy about having a concert and she was game – offering to provide the crowds with tasty picnic style meals.

The Vermont summer cooperated with us and it was a beautiful evening. It was a grand event with over 100 folks showing from Middletown Springs and Pawlet, Vermont.

Partying and Music at Historic Timber Frame, Vermont

The crowds enjoy the music at Sissy’s

The band played on into the evening and captured our hearts. It was such a success, that they will be coming back again this summer to record with local musician,Jim Gilmour.

Evening under the Reclaimed Timber Frame

Evening under the Reclaimed Timber Frame

Meanwhile, the antique timber frame is still for sale and looking for a new owner… 

If you would like to see this Vermont timberframe or some of the other frames we have in stock, please do contact me. Green Mountain Timber Frames is working to find someone to love these old frames and all of the magical history they hold.www.greenmountaintimberframes.com

Bennington Project Independence – restored timbers above, restoration within

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Like Isaac Newton and gravity – the Bennington Project Independence started with an apple. Or more specifically, an apple orchard. The orchard land and buildings that are now home to the Vermont’s Bennington County premier adult day care center, were acquired in 2004. In 2008, I had the honor of restoring two of its original timber frame barns, transforming them into the dining hall and conference room of this remarkable facility.

Apples and Timber Frames

There were originally two old barns on the property, one from the 1790s and the other from the 1860s. We used both barns in our part of the construction of the new facility, allowing us to hold on to a piece of history and restore the beams so they can stand for another century.

Original Timber Frame Barn Vermont

Historic Barns Before Work Began, Bennington, Vermont”

Original Timber Frame Barn Vermont

The 1790 Barn Before Restoration

The 1790s barn was restored and the timber frame now houses the Center’s dining hall.

Dining Hall from restored Timber Frame

Dining Hall from restored Timber Frame

The 1860s historic barn was transformed into a conference room and bathrooms, adjacent to the dining hall.

It really is wonderful to see how old barns can find new life and bring such a special meaning to a room. The hand hewn wooden timbers lend the dining hall a very warm and inviting feel,and participants enjoy socializing, dining and dancing under the frame.

Restored Beams in Vermont

Dining Hall Ceiling

We are proud to have been chosen to restore each structure. If you are in Bennington Vermont, a visit to the Center is worth the effort.

Here is a picture taken from the outside:

Bennington Vermont Restored Timber Frame

Bennington Project Independence*

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If you would like to see some of the frames we have in stock or find out more about our current projects, please do reach out. We are working to find someone to love these old frames and all of the magical history they hold.www.greenmountaintimberframes.com

*Photo Credit: Ori Kaplan