Author Topic: "Barn Raising" Sat. Aug. 22, 2009 (S. Central Wisc.) UPDATED video/pics (Read 11800 times)

Rooster · « **on:** June 14, 2009, 02:15:01 AM »

Howdy,

It's Offical! On Saturday Aug. 22, 2009, we will be doing another barn raising of an 1888, 32ft x 56ft three bay timber-frame barn. The barn raising will take place just North of Edgerton, WI, on Craig Rd, between Hwy 73 and Hillside Rd.. We are extending an open invitation for volunteers and spectators to participate. This is a free event.

We will be raising the first bent at 8 AM. Lunch will be provided for the volunteers. Last time we did something like this we had a few FF members show up to supply some much appreciated muscle and encouragement.

Hope to see you there. Everyone welcome.

Rooster

Jim_Rogers · « **Reply #1 on:** June 14, 2009, 11:14:32 AM »

So, is that 56' divided by 3 bays meaning 18'+ between bents?

Rooster · « **Reply #2 on:** June 14, 2009, 02:00:16 PM »

The barn we are going to take down, move and put up again is what I like to call a "transition barn". In the early years of Wisconsin's state history, it was primarily a "wheat state" not as much a "dairy state" as it as been known since the early 1900s. This barn was built at the time when farmers were supplimenting their cash crops, (wheat, rye, oats) with small dairy herds. This barn is a "bank barn", which means it was built into a hill, which was man made to form a driveway ramp up to the mow floor. This was a very popular style of diary barn because a farmer could work in the "basement/parlor" and have easy access to the "first floor/ upstair/ mow" via the driveway. It sits on a cut limestone/fieldstone foudation, which housed the workhorses, cows, and other livestock. The framed structure is divided into 3 bays or mows. The center bay/mow or driveway mow (14 ft wide) was use as a staging area for the hay to be unloaded from the wagons and stacked loose in the side or end bay/mows. This center bay/mow was also a "threshing floor" mow, where the wheat seeds would be "threshed" (beaten with a flail), and the chaff would be carried out the barn doors by the wind. This center bay/mow had short 3ft interior walls to keep the grain from spilling into the hay mow, and the hay from getting into the grain.

The outer bay/mows are 21ft wide so that the mow space could be maximize for the most hay possible in a 3 bay barn. Centered between the posts in the these outer bay/mows, there is an extra pole/post to help carry the load of the top-plate and roof load, and help carry the the girts or siding nailers.

Once I have the frame stripped, I will post some pics so that it is easier to understand.

Rooster

Jim_Rogers · « **Reply #3 on:** June 15, 2009, 07:32:42 AM »

Wow, 21' bays that's long....

stumpy · « **Reply #4 on:** June 15, 2009, 08:41:49 PM »

Even though we'll probably be talking before then, count me in. By the way, how did the demo go?

Stumpkin · « **Reply #5 on:** June 16, 2009, 09:08:01 AM »

Quote from: Jim_Rogers on June 15, 2009, 07:32:42 AM

Wow, 21' bays that's long....

20' to 22' bays divided by a prick post is only a 10' to 11' span at the plate. The purlin would span 20'+ but the braces are usually much longer (5' or 6' layout) to breakup the span and stiffen the purlin. This type of framing is very common in the mid-west. I have seen this in many barns from Ohio to Illinois and north to Wisconsin. The barn I helped move from Ohio to Colorado last year had four 20' bays with prick posts.

Craig, If you need any help, I'm an Itinerant Timber Framer with 15 yrs. experience and I'm only half a state away.

Rooster · « **Reply #6 on:** June 16, 2009, 09:44:23 AM »

Stumpkin,

I wanted to give you, and anyone else, some initial info on the future barn raising. The raising will be Sat. Aug. 22. We will once again be using a gin pole and a team of draft horses for the main lifts. We will be focusing mainly on putting up the frame for this one day event. To make things less complicated, everyone will be working on a volunteer basis, except the teamster. A lunch will be served for the volunteers, and refreshments might be available for the spectators. We will be documenting the day with a couple of photographers and video. 1880s period clothing is encouraged.

It is nice to have people with experience help with the raising. I often spend a lot of time educating and instructing volunteers who have never even been inside a barn before, let alone help build one. So if you still feel that you want to help out, all I can offer is appreciation, lunch, all the cold water you can drink, and an "Attaboy" at the end of the day.

Rooster

Stumpkin · « **Reply #7 on:** June 16, 2009, 10:54:22 AM »

Sounds like a good thing. If I'm not busy, Ill try and make it up for the raising. I've been involved in several TF Guild events in the past. It's great to have barn raising events like this in the mid-west.

Tom

beenthere · « **Reply #8 on:** June 16, 2009, 11:03:44 AM »

Hey, I've been in a barn before. If available, will try to make it.

The 1880's periods clothing might be a stretch, unless worn and torn will work.

Gonna leave the wooly's in the closet tho. Suspenders? maybe can do them.

Hard hat...yes.

jander3 · « **Reply #9 on:** June 16, 2009, 08:29:59 PM »

I am interested in helping if my schedule works. As things firm up, let us know, I would need a few weeks notice to figure things up on my end (and convince the wife).

Rooster · « **Reply #10 on:** July 18, 2009, 12:06:10 AM »

Hey there,

See the updated start of this thread for barn raising info.

Thanks!

Rooster

wi woodcutter · « **Reply #11 on:** July 18, 2009, 06:19:13 PM »

I guess I'll have to come and see this, since I only live about 10 miles away.

The only problem is the Badger Steam and Gas show is the same weekend.

Rooster · « **Reply #12 on:** August 07, 2009, 06:45:07 PM »

Here are some photos of the barn that we will be putting up during a public barn raising on Sat. Aug. 22.

See my profile for more info/website on some of my past projects.

Rooster

Brad_bb · « **Reply #13 on:** August 11, 2009, 02:18:49 AM »

How many people do you have committed? I've been involved in 3 raisings. I'd like to come and bring my cousin to show him what it's all about. We're in the middle of some construction, but I'm hoping to break away that day.

Rooster · « **Reply #14 on:** August 11, 2009, 10:40:25 PM »

We have about 12 people on a volunteer list. I usually have a number of walk-ons because we have been putting the "word" out locally, and there is always room for more.....and not everyone who is coming to help, can help for the whole day. Volunteers can come and go as they please. So I would say, bring your cousin, there is lots to do. The bents will be pre-assembled, so we will be focusing on raising the 6 bents, girts, top-plates, and hopefully the purlin support system.

Rooster

Brad_bb · « **Reply #15 on:** August 20, 2009, 10:36:45 AM »

I'll be there. If it rains, will we continue raising in the rain?

Rooster · « **Reply #16 on:** August 22, 2009, 01:12:52 AM »

It will be partly sunny, with a high of 72 degrees...Perfectamundo!

See yah there!

Rooster
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wi woodcutter · « **Reply #17 on:** August 23, 2009, 07:14:19 PM »

Sorry I missed it.

The Badger Steam and Gas show in Baraboo is the same day. The show good, I guess you cannot be everywhere at once.

wkheathjr · « **Reply #18 on:** August 23, 2009, 07:59:12 PM »

Rooster,

How did it went? I'm anxious to hear the story..

beenthere · « **Reply #19 on:** August 23, 2009, 08:15:49 PM »

I was at the Badger Steam & Gas show as well. Supreme weather. Huge show. Great show.
Missed seeing any other FF members there, but I ventured that way at the last moment Sat.
Hope the barn raising went well.

Brad_bb · « **Reply #20 on:** August 23, 2009, 09:38:30 PM »

It was a good day. Plenty of guys there to help, not that a few more wouldn't have hurt either. I'm anxious for Rooster to post some pics and tell the tale as I forgot to bring my camera. The food was good. A big dessert table with pies, cookies and brownies too! I slept til 10:30am today as I was tired from all the climbing. I also had to drive 2.5 hours home and I was not doing good the last 1/2 hour, but got home about 11pm. It was great meeting Craig and his dad and family. I also met Jim aka "Stumpy" here on the forums. He was involved in the milling of that big redwood chunk a couple years ago with some other fellas here on FF. It was a good atmosphere all around. The nice cooler weather helped. Never saw so many guys work so hard and be happy about it.

Brad_bb · « **Reply #21 on:** August 23, 2009, 10:11:58 PM »

Local TV news story on the raising:
http://www.wkowtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=10975244

Jim_Rogers · « **Reply #22 on:** August 24, 2009, 10:53:56 AM »

Thanks for posting the link to the video.....

stumpy · « **Reply #23 on:** August 24, 2009, 12:26:29 PM »

I was at the barn raising on Saturday. Great time. Very interesting. I commend Craig for being able to manage all the volunteers. The skill level ranged from an older woman, to guys with some pretty good knowledge of what to do, and everything in between. Craig also added a cool touch. He made up an american flag for the top of the Gin Pole. The flag had 38 stars on it which would have been the same as existed when the barn was originally built in 1888.

Rooster · « **Reply #24 on:** August 27, 2009, 09:11:12 PM »

Hey there,

I wanted to let everyone know that Saturday's barn raising was a true success. I was surprised and humbled by the number of spectators and volunteers that showed up to participate.

Even though we got a late start trying to dig holes for the gin pole anchors, we were able to raise the 6 bents and connect them together with the girts. Here are some videos that were posted on youtube. Enjoy!

Rooster

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YeHHbYWIHXY&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed

Rooster · « **Reply #25 on:** August 27, 2009, 09:13:40 PM »

Rooster · « **Reply #26 on:** August 27, 2009, 09:18:57 PM »

wkheathjr · « **Reply #27 on:** August 30, 2009, 08:37:26 AM »

Nice video! Thanks for posting!!

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Author Topic: "Barn Raising" Sat. Aug. 22, 2009 (S. Central Wisc.) UPDATED video/pics (Read 11800 times)

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