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Great Barrington Historical Society Annual Picnic10:23AM / Wednesday, July 08, 2009
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. - Jack A. Sobon of Windsor, teacher, historian, author and internationally known expert on timber-framed house and barn construction techniques, will reveal to members of the Great Barrington Historical Society and friends some of the clues in the 18th century Truman Wheeler farmhouse's origins.
The society’s free annual picnic meeting will be Wednesday, July 22, at 6: 30 p.m, at the Wheeler House on 817 South Main St. Those attending should bring their own food, blankets and chairs. The society will provide a colonial rum punch and dessert. Parking will be on the grounds.
Sobon, who has taught at the Heartwood School for the Homebuilding Crafts in Washington, Mass., is author of "Build a Classic Timber-Framed House" (1994) and other books. He is the society’s consultant in the restoration of the Wheeler House.
During a recent meeting at the historic property with contractor David Lanoue of Great Barrington -- whose crew is elevating and stabilizing the rear wing of the house this month -- Sobon said the rambling farmhouse appears to have originated with a small story-and-a- half 17x18-foot house that evidences a Dutch style in certain construction details. Deeds suggest it may have been built as early as 1746, with another bay and an upper story added about two decades later.
The society will eventually make the building its headquarters and museum for Great Barrington and Housatonic history. The property with intact early barns was a working farm for six generations; hopes are that its access to the Housatonic River in the rear, can be a secondary focus for a recreation/river trail. For more information about the society, refer to www.greatbarringtonhistoricalsociety.org. The Wheeler House is located across from the VFW, and about 1/4 mile South of Big Y Shopping Center. The event will be held rain or shine. |
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