In what’s being called a “new-fashioned barn raising,” the historic Shaker Barn will be lifted Wednesday, June 14, from 7 a.m. to 12 noon, rain or shine. Visitors are invited to watch the process and take photos and videos from a safe distance.
The work is part of an ambitious and essential project to save and restore the Shaker Great Barn, created in 1891 from two pre-existing 1830 barns and still used to store 50 tons of hay each season. Learn more about the project, which is supported in part by a $500,000 federal grant, at this link.
The folks at Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village have shared details about the June 14 barn-lifting and the work that will follow:
The barn’s 85′ long rear section will be held on cribbing 12’-15’ in the air for 2-3 months while a specially designed foundation is installed to correct most of the building’s structural problems. Late summer/ early fall, the barn will be lowered onto its new, restored foundation, and in-kind repairs will be made to the hand-hewn timbers nearing 200 years old.
The barn-raising is a unique opportunity to see history being made – and saved. Stop by Shaker Village on Wednesday June 14, from 7 a.m. to noon.
— Joanne Cole
