Farm looks to build barn the old fashioned way
By Gail Geraghty
Staff Writer

SUMNER – When the owners of A Wrinkle in Thyme Farm decided it was time to build a barn, they knew not just any barn would do.

In keeping with the character of their 1850s farmhouse, and their philosophy of life in general, Marty Elkin and Mary Ann Haxton decided to build a traditional joinery post and beam barn. They would use pine lumber milled from the trees on their 30 acres on the Black Mountain Road, and invite anyone who wants to learn about timber frame construction to come and help out.

“Our goal is to use as much local product and labor as possible,” said Haxton. “What we’re doing supports the local economy, and has minimal transportation costs.”

After a year spent planning and preparing, framing work began two weeks ago on the 36-foot by 48-foot barn, being built by their neighbor, carpenter Dan Perron, and his father Larry, owner of Morrill’s Bed & Breakfast.

Both women are actively helping on the project, and have invited anyone who wants to learn about timber-frame construction to come help out as well.

They see the barn-raising as a community-building project as well as a construction project. When the deck of the barn, made of hemlock lumber milled from Sid Record’s Rose-beck Farm in Oxford, was done in late July, they invited neighbors and friend to a barn dance under the stars.

“It just feels good to see it go,” said Haxton, dressed in carpenter’s coveralls, while helping Perron secure one of the bents last week. The bents are the building block of a timber frame barn, providing the cross section that gives the barn its shape.

The wooden members are secured by joining mortise into tenon pockets, chisled largely by hand. Over 500 oak pegs have been created and will be pounded into place, to hold the frame together.

This is the biggest timber-frame project Perron has yet tackled; two years ago he built a timber frame porch for Haxton and Elkin, complete with mortise and tenon joints.

“When you’re making the parts, it takes a little longer,” Perron said. “If you were doing studded walls and trusses, within a month you’d have the whole thing completed.”

Using traditional joinery, said Haxton, better “fits the character of this place,” a small, diversified and organic farm. It will take another month of framing work before the outside walls and roof can go up.

Then they’ll hold another barn-raising celebration complete with food, music and dancing.

When finished, the barn will house the farm’s 30 laying hens, nine sheep, one goat and a Belgian draft horse named Bubba.

All who want to learn and help are encouraged to participate, and can learn skills from Perron according their interests and availability, said Haxton. Those interested can call Haxton or Elkin at 388-2979.

ggeraghty@sunjournal.com

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