Flicking through the channels because I was sick of all the Super Bowl hype, I came across a show on Discovery: Barnhouse Builders. Its about this crew that re-claims Barnhouse Wood and re-purposes it for other projects. Incredible to think that the early colonialists built these things with out modern tools. It got me to wonder about all the times I heard people say.." You have to use up your wood in a few years or it will rot!" Some of those header beams that they were retrieving from these barns are over 200 years old...No rot on them at all. Amazing.....
A lot of old barns had american chestnut beams in them. AC is a lot like tulip poplar in that it grows fast and straight and is not a particularly hard wood. Just keep it dry and it will last 200 years.
That’s a great reality show, awesome folks with no made up drama! I can’t believe some of the beams they’ve found, 50’ long maybe 16” x 16”!
Found the show couple seasons ago. Waiting for Mark to build his house from the 100% barn (6pm est show).
That show was on here today too. I only caught a glimpse but looked like a cool show. I saw something about the walkway between 2 being 24" if it was the same episode. The barn at my grandparents farm was from the late 1870' was still standing and sturdy when my aunt and uncle sold the farm in 2004. Coolest barn ever, all kinds of dual use items, like a fence to keep livestock inside the attached lean to when needed but also the the rail pivoted up and down over milk cow'd head to keep her till as she fed in the mornings and she was milked. Trick trap doors everywhere you looked to get feed/ vet supplies needed from room to room without walking around the whole barn....And more and more. They donated it along with the 2nd house (1904) to the fire dept to burn down and practice on.
It is kind of funny when you hear folks talking about the wood going bad. Timber lasts forever if it's not subject to water ingress. Family farm barn is in need of attention or it may be a source of old barn wood soon.
I found that show while having some "down time" for my back. I enjoyed it for the most part and will look for it to be on again! But don't worry, the makers will find ways to ruin it by injecting drama.....I have faith in them!
Sadly the old barns are going around here. Most don't see the value in them and they are not fit for today's machinery. So, rather than pay taxes on them, they get torn down.
Have watched BB a few times. Good show. Keep a good roof over a barn and it'll last many generations.
Hand-hewn beams really impress me with the skill it took to make them. If all goes well, we will be owners of a circa 1875 New England barn in a few months. Post and beam with trunnels. I did not get a good look at the beams, but they look mill sawn versus hewn. It needs some love, but I'll get it weather tight and go from there. The roof is pretty good. There are a handful around here falling into the ground. The owners don't realize that the timbers and siding are worth money and people will dismantle to build a smaller barn or shop. Part of local history is fading away.
Great show, I always tune in if I find it on and have time. Something special about that old wood, so much character and history in those old barns.
Maine is covered with old barns and sadly a lot of them are falling down if not down already. Since the decline of the family farm a lot of them have disappeared and more will follow. Fortunately there’s been a renewed interest in turning them into restaurants and other businesses recently and that’s saved a few. I hope the trend continues.
My grandparents house and barn was all hand hewn exposed beams, barn was still good but new owners tore it down as well as the ell. We had a lot of fun in there as kids, just doesn't look the same anymore.
The closet door is from an old pig pen. Some beams salvaged from an old barn. The beams with the lanterns are original to our 1868 farmhouse .. Parts and pieces from years gone by but still in use .
I have one that is that is going downhill quickly the problem is the cost of fixing them. This has a really neat lift in it that would raise the whole wagon of hay to unload. If I remember I will take a picture of it sometime. I was told that these were only in our area which I find hard to believe. It was designed to be operated by horses by pulling on a rope wrapped around a wooden wheel about 6 ft. diameter that turned a shaft wrapping four more sections of rope that then went thru pulleys and lifted on two logs run across the bottom of the wagon. Man I hope you guys arent as confused as I am! Gary
