Preservation Timber Framing

03/18/2026

Many thanks to all those who joined us at the NHPA Old House & Barn Expo over the weekend! We had a terrific time meeting you and hope you enjoyed seeing us in action with our axes, chisels and mallets as we created a new undercarriage for the barn and then raised it by hand.

We rarely see an original barn this size. The 18’ by 18’ structure hosts three bents. Its hand hewn and sawn elements are joined using the scribe rule method of timber framing. 10 foot tall flared posts support the strong and beautiful “English Tying Joint” at the top of the wall. A principal rafter, common purlin roof system illustrates the 18th century’s first choice for buildings in New Hampshire and New England. Magic! Please enjoy the pictures.



Photo Credit: Helen Watts and PTF Crew

05/23/2025

Just finished this barn. Looks great

03/28/2025

After horse/After fix

The horse did beautiful work, but it wasn't structurally sound

01/19/2025

01/19/2025

01/19/2025

01/19/2025

01/15/2025

PTF is hiring! Come work with these fine folk! Our upcoming projects include barns in Waldoboro and Newcastle, ME and restoring a spire to a meetinghouse in Readfield. We have crews working year-round from Seacoast NH up through Midcoast Maine. We are currently looking to add to our crew north of Portland. If this is where you live and work, let's talk. Good benefits, pay, and a great crew.

PTF has more than 30 years cutting traditional timber frame joinery and preserving historic homes, barns, and steeples. The work is meaningful, challenging, and rewarding. We are willing to teach if you are willing to learn.

Please email resumé and cover letter to [email protected] (Arron is spelled ARRON). We rarely check comments and do not check DMs. Thank you!

09/11/2024

The Patten town library was approaching its 100th anniversary status in 2020 when funds were secured to build a new library. This raised the question: what’s to become of the historic church and meeting hall, built in 1845, that had served Patten’s needs so faithfully as a library since 1928? Plans to raze the structure were put forward by the Selectboad , quickly galvanizing citizens and the Patten Historical Society to save the building. It was acquired with a successful town vote in April 2023. Maine Preservation has long supported local advocacy efforts, including overdue conditions assessments and forward-looking planning. Now, with the generous support of The 1772 Foundation, Inc., Patten Baptist Church received a new roof, securing the building’s envelope and preventing further damage to its interior—in particular the original plaster ceiling and amazing, hand-painted trompe l'oeil decoration.

09/01/2024