Join us for a special program exploring the history, construction and re-use of three timber frame buildings at Sanborn Mills Farm. Presenters are timber frame specialist Steve Fifield of Fifield Building Restoration & Relocation, and Sanborn Mills Farm founder and president Colin Cabot. A small group format will offer opportunities to learn about the history of timber frame buildings and how to “read” their features to determine age, will highlight the techniques used to move and restore these frames, and allow ample time for Q&A with our expert timber framers.
Sanborn Mills Farm’s mission is to teach traditional crafts and farming methods while sustainably using its field and forest resources for its workshops and events.
When the Loudon Grange was slated to be demolished to make room for new town offices in 2013, Cabot and Sanborn Mills Farm (SMF) stepped in to save the building. Under the expert guidance of Steve Fifield, the building was disassembled and brought to SMF to be stored while plans for its new location were developed. Re-erecting the frame at SMF started in early 2021. The frame is now up, new clapboards are installed, and the large 20/20 windows are being fabricated by the Farm’s staff. Interior finish work has not yet begun, so tour participants will have an opportunity to view the beautiful 42’ x 50’ scribe-ruled frame of this early 1800s building.
The Sanborn Barn is the farm's original 1850s dairy barn that has been transformed for new use. The farm's main kitchen and dining area are located in the walkout lower level (down cellar), and classroom/studio space is on the first (tie up) floor. Timber frame repair and reuse will be highlighted during this part of the tour.
The Old Carriage Barn that connected the ell of the main house to the big barn was moved to a new location on the farm in 2016 to make way for the New Carriage Barn. This timber framed building has a large meeting space on the main level with free-standing, wooden spiral stairs leading to the second floor dormitory area. Both levels are connected to the new dining room and the workshop spaces in the Sanborn Barn.
We’re excited to offer this special program in partnership with Sanborn Mills Farm as a part of our ongoing Old House & Barn Expo On the Road series!
Sanborn Mills Farm COVID-19 Policy, Updated 8/24/2021
At Sanborn Mills Farm, safeguarding the health of our guests, our staff, and our faculty has the highest priority in accomplishing what we do on the Farm. We recognize that there is a risk that any one of us may transmit the disease to someone else on the staff, whether vaccinated or not. Thus, we have revised our COVID-19 protocol for guests, effective immediately.
Students attending SMF workshops and guests at Sanborn Mills Farm will need to show proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test dated no more than two days before arriving at the Farm.
Any guest who is not vaccinated must wear a mask when inside any building or outside when social distancing is not possible.
Beginning Feb. 1, 2022, all guests of Sanborn Mills Farm, faculty, and staff must be vaccinated. All attendees of workshops following that date will need to show proof of vaccination to participate. If you are not vaccinated but have signed up for a workshop that takes place after Feb. 1, 2022, your registration fee will be refunded.
To learn more about Sanborn Mills Farm, visit https://www.sanbornmills.org/.