COLBURN BARN RESTORATION ARKANSAS May 29 - June 4, 2025

May 29th through June 4th, 2025

With Rudy Christian and instructors Daniel Lee and Brendon Doyle.

SCROLL TO BOTTOM TO REGISTER.

Join us for a week of timber frame restoration in Canehill, Arkansas, in partnership with Historic Cane Hill, a non-profit organization in Northwest Arkansas, and sponsored in part by the National Center for Preservation Technology & Training.

The Colburn Barn, recently acquired by Historic Cane Hill, is a century-old barn once used on an apple-growing operation and farm. The 36’x 60’ barn is set on a beautiful sandstone foundation and is framed with oak timbers joined with mortise and tenon joinery using wooden pegs. Due to lack of use during recent times, the barn needs some repairs to keep it useful as part of Historic Cane Hill’s educational and historic preservation programming.

Course Topics:

This week-long course will focus on providing hands-on instruction in timber frame repairs as part of the restoration of the Colburn Barn. In this course, we will cover theory and methods for documenting and assessing old buildings for repair, material handling, safe techniques for dismantling portions of the frame, as well as various repair and replacement techniques. Participants will spend time practicing functional repairs in situ, and laying out replacement timbers using ‘Old School Mill Rule’ techniques that are thought to have been used during the original construction of the barn. Instructors will provide demonstrations and support students in cutting timbers using a combination of hand tools and handheld power tools. They will also provide instruction in the use of a telehandler on site, including hand signals and general safety (this will not result in a certification and students most likely will not be using machinery outside of instructional times).

After attending this program, participants will be able to:

• Identify and use traditional joinery layout systems employed in constructing historic timber frames.
• Assess and document timber and joinery conditions of a 20th century timber framed structure.
• Develop appropriate repair and restoration strategies for restoration of historic timber structures.
• Use both traditional and modern tools to repair or replicate traditional timber joinery during restoration work on historic timber structures.

Required Prerequisite Knowledge:

A basic understanding of timber construction is helpful, but not essential, as well as familiarity with design/engineering methodology.

Course Structure:

Breakfast and Lunch will be provided throughout the course by Historic Cane Hill, and dietary preferences will be recorded upon registration. Please reach out if you have any concerns. Camping and RV hookups are available on site, and recommendations for local accommodations will be sent out to those who register. Please email us for more information.

𐎀 For AIA Members:

Credits: 42 hours, HSU

If you are an AIA member and interested in receiving credit for this course, please let us know in the space indicated during registration.

This learning program is registered with AIA CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product.

AIA continuing education credit has been reviewed and approved by AIA CES. Learners must complete the entire learning program to receive continuing education credit. AIA continuing education Learning Units earned upon completion of this course will be reported to AIA CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non-AIA members are available upon request.

About Historic Cane Hill, Inc.

The mission of Historic Cane Hill is "to acquire, preserve and maintain historic buildings and property for historical preservation and educational purposes." Historic Cane Hill seeks to build on the legacies of architecture, education, and the arts by providing programs and a venue to experience art and culture rooted in the history of the region and the beautiful natural surroundings of the Ozark Mountains.

The vision for Historic Cane Hill includes elevating arts and culture while maintaining the authenticity found in the community’s natural, built, and agricultural landscape and storied human history.

Historic Cane Hill, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, was formed in 2013 to save the buildings and land tracts and regain Cane Hill’s place as an important center of arts, culture, history, education, and commerce. The organization partners with residents and stakeholders, and, as a result, this distinctive community continues to enrich visitors from Northwest Arkansas and many parts of the country.

Historic Cane Hill owns and stewards more than 200 acres of land, including 15 historic buildings within and near Cane Hill. Additionally, it operates a museum and gallery and maintains many trails, orchards, and other natural resources that make the community particularly memorable.

Photo credit: Russell A. Cothren.

The workshop is held in collaboration with National Center for Preservation Technology and Training.

Sponsored in part by:

Preserve Arkansas

WER Architects