Crow’s Nest: Building crew update
By Daniel Barringer, Preserve Manager.
Work is progressing on the Harmonyville Road farmhouse at Crow’s Nest. About three-quarters of the exterior has been repointed, one chimney replaced, and the planks to support a new metal roof are in place. New oak window frames are primed and installed.
Met Ed will be moving the utility pole away from the house for us and we’ll run the electric service underground to the house.
Inside some of the oak beams had rotted where they were supported by pockets in the exterior stone walls. For some of them our crew—Steve, Luke, and Scott—were able to cut out the rot and slide the existing beam back over into the pocket. For beams that lacked the extra length or were in worse condition new beams were rolled into place to replace them. As someone who has the good fortune to live in another Natural Lands house restored by these guys I can tell you the work is top notch. (This house, and the one we live in on Piersol Road, are remarkably similar, having been built in 1822 and 1817, respectively.)
Above is a nearly-finished gable end with the new red trim going into place. Stay tuned while our work here progresses! Our goal is that these buildings function well for another 200 years.