Category Archives: Timber Frame Projects

Greene and Greene Gazebo Gets a Facelift

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Remember that Greene and Greene style timber frame gazebo I was working on a few months back? Well it’s been a busy summer and in the meantime, the gazebo has received some TLC in the form of new landscaping. Here is a picture of the frame in its purist form, but with cement block showing:

Timber Frame Builders in Vermont Make Gazebo

Greene and Greene Style Timber Frame Gazebo

Since we last saw this beautiful frame, the masons finished the stone work. This helps to ground the structure and ties it in aesthetically to the surroundings.

Post and Beam barn homes and gazebo

Finished masonry on Greene and Greene Gazebo

This week, we will be adding the top soil around the post and beam frame, and in the coming weeks the owners will plant grass seed and flower beds to complete the project.

Greene and Greene Historic Post and Bean Homes

It’s truly a special timber framing project and I enjoyed working on this beautifully designed timber frame. While I tend to work more with restored frames from post-colonial times, working on this frame was a lot of fun and I enjoyed learning more about the Greene brothers and their work.

We would be love to hear what you think of this frame and our other projects. Please take a look at the other available timber frames for sale at our shop! If you are interested in a barn style home, please contact us.

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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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

Renovated Horse Barn – Middletown Springs, VT

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Restored Timber Frame Barn

Restored Timber Frame Barn

Built in the 1840s, this timber frame barn was formerly a summer kitchen and wood shed attached to a two-story colonial style house in Wells, Vermont. 

I renovated it in 2003 for a horse farmer in our town and the barn is now home to several rescue horses.

Horse Barn Restored by Green Mountain Timber Framers

I was so glad to be able to bring back life to this old wood shed and see that it is being used so well now.

One reason this project was special was that we did the barn raising with people – the old-fashioned way. We didn’t use a crane. 15 ladies and gentlemen helped to raise it all the way up to the roof boards in one day.

Old Fashioned Barn Raising

Old Fashioned Barn Raising

Too bad it’s so tasty, though! The horses love the old barn so much, they started chewing those beautiful timbers! The owner had to treat the timbers with a hot pepper product so the horses would stay clear.

Post and Beam Barn Restoration

Yummy Timbers!

Green Mountain Timber Frames Restored Barn

Interior of Horse Barn

If you would like to see some of the frames I have in stock or find out more about my current projects, please do reach out. I’m working to to find someone to love these old frames and all of the magical history they hold.

www.greenmountaintimberframes.com

The Katrina Project – Rebuilding After the Hurricane

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After the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, a Vermont friend with Mississippi roots, asked if I would build a house for friends of her family whose home had been destroyed by the storm. A collaborative project developed within our New England network to raise funds and then travel down to Pass Christian, MS to construct a timber frame house for the Conway family. The post and beam structure, seen below, is designed to withstand 100 mile an hour winds.

Green Mountain Timber Frames Katrina Recovert

Rebuilding after Katrina

The project was one of my favorites! While I usually build old timber frame homes and restore old barns, this project was a brand new timber frame home and I had to take into consideration the particular needs of a home that would – unfortunately – have to withstand future storms.
We over-built the house and soon enough FEMA was coming by to visit our site and use it as an example. They would talk in FEMA workshops about the building techniques we were using and encouraging other builders to use the same techniques.
Interior timber framing in katrina house

Interior timber framing

The house is a timber frame structure with plywood interior walls covered with sheet rock. It was built according to the new codes, seventeen feet above sea level and ten feet above ground. We fastened everything down so it could withstand hurricane winds of up to 100 miles an hour.
Timber frame house - above ground for hurricanes

House is lifted above ground

The work itself was incredibly intense and fun. Each week, I had a brand new crew of dedicated volunteer workers beside me. We worked for six weeks, and family and friends came from across the country to help in the building.
Plans for the timber frame home - katrina

In Vermont – Planning the new home

Inside the Timber Frame home - katrina

Ground level porch – Finished!

It was truly a wonderful experience – one of my favorite lifetime memories – and the Conway’s daily provision of delicious lunches and dinners was appreciated by all!  I am proud that the house stands strong and tall and hope it will not have to weather too many storms. It passed the test of Hurricane Gustav in 2008. Despite the five feet of water that flooded the yard, the house was unharmed.
Green Mountain Timber Frames Katrina Recovert

Rebuilding after Katrina