Tuesday, August 31, 2010



This is the south side of the barn. We are putting 3 double windows that face out to the south west orchard. Next to the windows there will be a set of french doors that lead out to a deck.

We used 50 of these steel L brackets to help hold up the beans in the barn.

Monday, August 23, 2010



Here is Mike moving one of the beams with my dad's assistance.
Today Mike took the 36' long Brown Ash floor beams and cut them down to 20' to use in the floor of the loft. He lifted those beams with the tractor and then used a "chain fall" to lift them up to the loft.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Our construction supervisor, Mike Poirier, "knocked out" this little table and bench set so my dad could sit and have a picnic and watch the progress of the barn. Behind my dad will be "french doors" going out to a deck and to one of the orchards.
The barn is now standing up straight. Huge beams are supporting "her". This is where I am putting 3 big windows that open. To my left will be a door that leads to the the farmhouse.

Sunday, August 8, 2010

I talked to Mike today and we discussed the windows, doors and the bathroom fixtures. I leave for Maine on Wednesday...can't wait to see the barn in person.

Thursday, August 5, 2010



We started this project in April 2010 and hope to be finished by fall 2011.
My dad is 95 years old and is the 3rd generation to run the farm.

We are a small boutique apple orchard with 40 different varieties of vintage fruit.


Wednesday, August 4, 2010



My dad, Francis Fenton, is restoring his 1800 vintage barn located in Mercer, Maine. Our construction supervisior, Mike Poirier, is jacking the barn and putting in new sills.