Timber framing - traditional handcrafting wooden timber buildings- is an art that is centuries-old. It is an historic building method that originally used local timber to construct sturdy, lasting buildings such as those commonly found on Pennsylvania German homesteads.
In fact, this tried and true type of construction was utilized in the oldest barns found in Berks and Lehigh Counties and the surrounding area. Timber-frame barns in our region can be identified with their south-facing overhangs called “forebays” that shield the access to and from the barn for livestock.
“Timber framing is part of the heritage of our area and its use goes back for many generations. This year we are introducing it to visitors at the Kutztown Folk Festival. We are pleased to have Methods & Materials Building Company, with its commitment to preserving traditional lumber carpentry, presenting this program,” Festival Executive Director Dave Fooks announced.
European immigrants brought these skills to America, and in Pennsylvania the Germans who settled here in the 18 th and early 19 th centuries built structures this way.
Traditional timber framing uses heavy timbers combined with joints and pegs fitting together to enclose a structure. Over time this method has been used to construct a variety of buildings. Besides barns and farm houses, timber was used to structure churches and bridges.
“We build houses, barns, and buildings of many different shapes and sizes,” according to Methods & Materials Building Company President Jack Witherington. “All our work is hand-crafted, precisely joined, and securely-built, utilizing current best practices balanced with a respect for centuries of traditional timber carpentry.” Usually beams are left exposed on the interior of a building, creating a magnificent effect.
Timber-framing is so stable that it withstands climate and the elements and can hold up for centuries. A 250 year life span or even longer is common. Existing timber-framed buildings in Germany are several hundred years old.
The European connection is important. Jack learned about traditional methods during a training program in the Black Forest region of Germany.
His company's experience includes hand raising of large structures, barn repairs, historic restoration, saw milling, and working with new, reclaimed and recycled timbers,
Each day at the festival Jack and his craftsmen will demonstrate the building of a small structure and will also demonstrate the raising of a small frame. The structure will have some of the same features that are found on timber structures in the area. There will also be a display of the timber framing process, tools, and books, and take-home information.
The 2008 Kutztown Folk Festival will be held June 28 to July 6 at the Kutztown Fairgrounds. Festival hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. For more information, please call 610-683-1537. Visit the Festival web site at www.kutztownfestival.com
Photos courtesy: M&M
Photos courtesy: Paul Magan
