A finished frame (Photo by David Kotz ’86.)
After many months of planning and a week of hard work, the Alumni Class of 1966 Bunkhouse workshop is finished. This is the fourth workshop of its kind that TimberHomes has orchestrated at the Moosilauke Ravine Lodge in New Hampshire, the much-adored home of Dartmouth Outdoors Club. The workshop ended with the hand raising of a traditional timber frame, which will be finished out this fall and become the newest bunkhouse at the Lodge. The project is a gift to the college from the Alumni class of 1966- many alumni donated to make the project happen, and several came out for the timber frame workshop to pour their labor into it’s joinery.
TimberHomes’ role covered a lot of ground including site management, general contracting, design, and this past week, instruction on the ins and outs of making a timber framed building. Our job throughout the workshop was to guide volunteers through reading plans, laying out joinery, and cutting mortises and tenons. All the work to make the frame stand on day five was carried out by these volunteers, mainly using hand saws, chisels and mallets, and boring machines. Having many repeat-volunteers made a huge difference this go around. What we had on our hands was a knowledgable group of people ready to work long hours, practiced enough to sing sea shanties as they pared. Yar, a fine time indeed.
Timberframe workshop at Moosilauke – Class of 1966 bunkhouse. (Photo by David Kotz ’86.)
Raising a hefty section of the wall plate
Senor Hooke, surveying the site, looking pleased
Stellar volunteer preparing a strap to carry a brace
Timber Frame instructor checking joinery
