Restoration underway for historic barn

Thanks to the contributions of many, this Barn is being saved. It will remain as a feature of our community for years to come!

We’re pleased to report that Dave Horst and his crew continue to make great progress restoring the historic Nolde Forest PA bank barn!

​Once materials were delivered, including sand earlier in the week, and they spent several hours clearing rock and dirt from the worksite to make the area accessible.

They have made significant progress—stacking a wall section more than seven-feet high and four-feet wide, effectively tying it into what was an unsupported stone wall. They will allow their work to cure before intentionally tearing down sections of wall on both sides of today’s work to make strong again.

Dave continues to express how urgent this work is, as it was only a matter of time that far more stone, timbers, and roof would have come down.

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​Once the stone masonry work is complete they will move onto replacing numerous timbers. We’ve identified a half dozen 16-foot long timbers that have been safely stored in the rafters of the barn. The challenge will be getting them out.

If we rent the appropriate lift, Dave and his crew can operate it and retrieve the timbers in a day or two. The final item on the contract includes some minor exterior masonry work—which they will save for last.

​Dave has a keen eye and has additionally suggested minor drainage work around the barn to minimize continued foundation deterioration.