Resources for Medieval Era Enthusiasts

Archives for Timber Frame Construction category

One of the many projects I am working on involves teaching homeschoolers how timber frame-structures are built. During the Middle Ages, timber frame-style buildlings were very common, and they survived for hundreds of years. There is a renewed interest in the U.S. in using timber frame-engineering.

I am designing some tabletop kits that homeschoolers can assemble that will teach them the basics of timber framing. We hope to accomplish several things with these kits: these projects serve as cross-curricular activities, blending history, math/geometry, and science; they help students develop an appreciation for historical building methods; and they are fun and interesting puzzles to solve.

Now, I can spend hours and hours using a mallet and chisel to create these kits, or, if I have access to a mortising machine, I can mass produce them with relative ease. I already have a garage full of woodworking equipment, but a mortiser (1/2 or 3/4 hp) is not among them.

So . . . I am looking either for a donation of a used, working, mortising machine or access to a mortiser (mostly during the weekends). We will provide a receipt for tax purposes (we are a 501(c)3 tax-exempt public charity).

If I were living in the UK now, my plans on constructing a Medieval era living history museum would not make much sense – another museum? Redundant . . . that’s what it would be. They already have some very nice living history museums, using actual historic buildings, not reconstructions. Yesterday I came upon a website for a very nice reclaimed timber frame structure in York, England – being used as a living history museum. Today, another site, Weald and Downland Museum, an open air museum. Using relocated timber frame structures, it seems that they have created a delightful living history museum with activities for all interest levels and ages. One of the items I noted in particular . . . they are teaching timber frame construction, where those serious about learning the trade can build some full size timber frames . . . and then the museum sells the frames to other interested parties. Hmmmmmm – I like that idea! I wonder how many New Mexicans would be interested in that? Oh wait . . . I already know of four or five guys who are chomping at the bit to build a timber frame structure!!! And I think selling them would be easy too. Yeah, I like that idea. Another item on the to-do list! Some of the other activities (there are alot!!!) included leather carving, tile making, pole lathe turning, weaving rush and cane seating, and . . . keeping pigs.

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About The Author

Scott Berry is a former high school history teacher. He is the founder and president of Medieval Living, Inc., a 501(c)(3) public charity which supports homeschooling throughout New Mexico. He is also an active member of the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA), where he participates in light weapons (rapier) and archery. He was a historian for the United States Air Force from 1981 to 1993.