Memorial Day Weekend in Middletown Springs, Vermont

Work on this gunstock treasure continues and I am enjoying every second of restoring this frame.

I consider my role in this as that of a connector – a lucky link in a historical moment bridging a timber framer who lived centuries ago and spent months chopping, carving and erecting this beautiful hand hewn frame and the future owners who will build lives beneath these old timbers once again.

Who will live amidst these timbers? What joys will happen under this roof? Children will be born and raised. Generations will come and go – with these old growth timbers standing sturdily by as silent witness.

On Friday, we spent much of the day applying the original white oak roof boards back to the frame.

Next, we installed a roof from recycled metal (actually, it’s four roofs, over its lifetime) that had been on the barn when it was dismantled. We’re using black plastic in the interim until more metal roofing can be applied. The plastic has helped keep the frame dry during last week’s 5 inches of rain, but the metal will be more secure until we dismantling the frame in November. We will keep reusing the metal roofing on future frames as temporary rain caps until these available frames find a home.

Applying roof Boards to restored timberframe

Roof boards and plastic sheeting to protect restored frame

With all the rain this past week, covering the roof with plastic allowed me to sleep at night. Over the rainy weekend we headed back to the Pawlet property to take more metal roofing  off of a shed (about to be torn down) that was attached to the gunstock frame. Armed with this added metal roof materials, we have all the ingredients we need to complete the roof.

Interior roof structure of restored timber frame

The photos above show the roof structure from the inside. Those large roof beams are the principal rafters. You can also see the horizontal tie beams and bracing between principal rafters. These beams support the smaller rafters which are all covered by white oak roof boards we applied on Friday. 

Restored Timber Frame with Roof Boards

What a beauty!( Okay – except for the lawn which I know needs mowing.) Here you can see half the roof boards and I think this shot does the old timber frame justice – look at the potential of this lovely structure!

Stay tuned: Next week we will focus on completing the roof boards and installing the rest of the metal roofing. This frame will be fully restored and ready to host summer events here at Sissy’s Kitchen.

We’re even planning on using some vintage planks to make three harvest tables with benches, which will sit beneath the restored gunstock timber frame.

I have to go now and mow the floor. Guests are coming……………………….

If you would like to visit any of these barns – or learn more about all the details (I can always talk barn) please let me know. I’m trying to help out the owner and find someone to love these old frames and all of the magical history they hold. www.greenmountaintimberframes.com

I’ve been counting the days until this project! Here, just minutes from my home at delicious Sissy’s Kitchen, I had the incredible opportunity to raise this vintage timber frame which dates back to the 1700s. It was in tough shape when I found it, but I saw its inner beauty immediately… 

This past weekend, I gathered some of my best crew members and in just 8 hours, we were able to complete the majority of this restoration project.

Here’s a quick BEFORE shot. (You’ll have to keep reading to see the after picture!)

Before – this gunstock timber frame sure needed some love

The weather forecast was 80% rain. We were blessed with no rain and a great timber frame crew. We started work at 8:30 with the usual Blessing, asking for safety for all involved. Thanks to a hardworking crew and Sissy’s delicious sandwiches, we set the last rafter timber by 4:30pm.

Sue, a first-class crane operator, came down to help out so we could focus on placing timbers instead of worrying about back pains and where to find another six strong guys to help us with heavy lifting. Thank you Sue!

I had made the sills at home beforehand because Sissy’s was hosting a wedding reception the day before and I didn’t want my hammering to disrupt the festivities. These sills will form a sort of platform where the restored timber frame rests. 

Timber Frame Sills – made beforehand at home

We started by putting the sills in place on Sissy’s lawn. Unfortunately, there was no room for a crane so we had to stack various frame elements on top of each other.

Stacking the Sills

Having an experienced (and fun) crew makes all the difference and was a huge part of the success of the day. For this special project, I gathered guys who I’ve worked with over the last 10 to 20 years. The project felt almost like a reunion and we were all dedicated to working hard, staying focused for 8 hours and seeing just how much we could accomplish by the end of the day.

A First Rate Timber Frame Crew in Vermont

Before lunch, we were busy raising the 40 foot walls which now are tied together by the 25 foot cross timbers. By noon, the main cross timbers were up. In order to install the 25 foot cross timbers, we needed to add on various accessory timbers to ensure the integrity of the structure.

Building the walls and getting cross timbers up

By noon, the cross timbers were up!

After taking a break for a delicious Sissy’s lunch, we hoisted up the principle rafters with tie timbers and bracing.

Principal Rafters with tie timbers and bracing

After lunch, we built a temporary floor system to enable us to erect the principle rafter system safely.

This floor system will also help us install roof boards and metal roofing.  For visitors, it helps showcase the glorious potential of the frame; there is plenty of height in these walls and we can easily add a loft to this frame.

Memorial Day weekend is always a busy one for Sissy’s and our small town of Middletown Springs, Vermont. The unofficial start of summer, we have held a parade here on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend for the last 43 years. As she awaits a new owner, the frame is playing host to a variety of events in the yard of Sissy’s restaurant. It’s a sort of historical gazebo and inviting people to rest under its timbers making a great home for events in Sissy’s yard.

Thar’ she is! The restored, adjusted gunstock timber frame standing 25 feet wide and 40 feet long.The beautiful results of a hard day’s work. This timber frame is ready to last another 250 years!

This reconstructed timber frame awaits her new home.

This beautiful historic property is begging for a new home.  It could be a great room, dance studio, office space or more. The options are endless……

Interested in coming to visit and take a tour of the frame? Contact me at my website: www.greenmountaintimberframes.com