The Sugar House Project

A summer full of work and learning

During the summer of 2010, the White Crew (also known as the Carpentry Crew) began construction on the sugar house woodshed attached to the original foundation. It seemed to be a huge project but we put together a great plan. We began by sighting the support beams for the sugar house woodshed and measuring the distance between each beam area. Once these areas were marked, the crew started digging 5 foot holes and it was dirty work! Two days later and the crew looked like prairie dogs – only their heads showing above ground. Nothing but digging through dirt, taking rocks out, and getting our clothes covered in dirt!

After the holes were finished, sono tubes were placed into the ground and buried to remain for the support beams like giant elephant’s feet underground. After the sono tubes were done, the crew had to use a water level to measure the depth from the floor of the woodshed to the ground. The ground had to be level for the cement to be placed properly and match the floor. Rebar was added to prevent cracks in the cement. The next step, of course, was adding cement to the foundation and filling the sono tubes to make the support beams. C-day, as it could have been called, had everyone nervous, but the crew worked fast and with some expert help from the best truck operator around the concrete flowed into place.

After a day or two of waiting for the cement to dry, the White Crew began building with wood. This is where the fun began. Wooden beams were built for the ceiling and the roof. Next, floor joists were added and a small wooden floor was built in the attic for the sap tank. Rafters were added to the floor joists and a wooden roof was built. Half of our crew spent time on the bottom measuring, cutting, and pulling nails out of wood. As the typical carpenter would say, “Measure twice, cut once.” The rest of the crew enjoyed being on the top hammering the rafters and the roof together. It’s funny to think that some carpenters are not afraid of heights at all, well maybe.

Sheathing came next followed by rows of shingles that nearly sprung into place the crew worked so fast, and the roof was completed. While the sugar house woodshed was being built, the White Crew constantly salvaged wood from the old Lewis Barn at Smokey House. This wood was recycled for building the structure, which is better than buying new wood in terms of thinking green. This was a valuable project for the White Crew because not only did we build a structure and use tools, but we used team work, leadership, mathematics, courage, and trust for each other as carpenters. Soon the woodshed will be completed for the Smokey House property and the spring time fires will burn even brighter thanks to the seasoned dry wood sitting protected by the White Crew’s skilled work.

-Nick
2010 Summer White Crew member