Charles Fish Barn Raising Program

Raising the Charles Fish Barn
Bents A & B
Bent C
Bent D
Bent E
Bent F
As of May 14, 2005

Completed Frame

Completed Barn

Kids Activities

Kids and Pegs

(Jeff Kelly photo)

19th century barn raisings were community events and our 2005 barn raising was held in this spirit.  While the Charles Fish Barn was being raised at the visitor center plentiful, farm style food was available and both sun and shade seating available to enjoy it.

To better understand the whole barn raising process, children and parents were invited to participate in several hands-on activities.  In the photo above, children learn to use the two-person saw to cut sections of a log.  These sections can then be split into material for making pegs to hold the barn together.

A number of shaving benches were set up so that kids could work with a draw knife to make pegs for the barn.

(Jeff Kelly photo)

 
(Photos by Matt Miller)

Howell Farm blacksmith Mike Erdie helped youngsters burn the image of a timberframe barn bent into split wood shingles.

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