The barn is actually two barns built side-by-side. The old barn was built in the 1700s and the new barn was built in the 1860s. When we first moved in, the barn was in pretty tough shape. The roof leaked badly and was missing gutters. Alot of the wooden frame and flooring were damaged. Then hurricane Isabel blew through and took several sections of roofing.

 

 

The combination of water leaking inside the barn causing the wood rot and the water pooling on the bank-side of the barn causing the foundation to shift, meant that repairs would require more time and expertise than we could muster, so we called in the experts. Some Amish friends came down and with in two weeks, had the barn structurally sound and water tight.

 

 

The rotten flooring is being removed and reveal hand-hewn floor joists. Some of the joists are American Chestnut.

 

 

Removal of the roof begins.

 

 

The barn did not originally have a cupola, but we added one for ventilation.

 

 

The roof is starting to take shape.

 

 

With the barn structurally safe and the roof on, it is time to focus on the inside.

 

 

New flooring is installed on the "driving" floor, just in time to recieve the first cutting of hay.

 

 

One bay is finished. Now there are only five more to go.

 

The job goes much quicker with an extra set of hands.

 

 

 

The foundation needed repointing. So far I have put 10,000 pounds of mortar between the stones.