Craig Log Cabin restoration in full swing – or shave
As the sap begins to flow in area trees, Kevin Brennan, a craftsman working on the renovation of the historic Craig Log Cabin, explains that the best time to cut down trees for a log cabin is in the winter, when the sap has gone out of the trees. “The logs are less likely to warp, and they’re lighter.”
Brennan was passing along this bit of woodland lore as he used an aged, but well cared-for, Wilkinson draw knife or bark-shaver on a winter-cut log. It would replace one of the 150-plus year-old original logs in the log cabin that had finally succumbed to the effects of weather.
In less than a month the log cabin, one of Bloomfield Township’s oldest structures, should be looking more presentable. It was moved last fall from its original location on Lone Pine Road to a new home on the Bowers Farm. Along with a few replacement logs it will also have a “new” roof of reclaimed hand-hewn cedar shakes. Still more restoration work will be done as additional funds are raised.
The cabin and the Barton Farmhouse are projects of Preservation Bloomfield, a joint effort of Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Hills Schools and the Bloomfield Historical Society to preserve some of the area’s past to inform its future.
Barton Farmhouse gets dressed for the holidays
The "old girl" gets settled in her new home at the Bowers Farm. The new foundation, using many of the stones from the original Barton site, nearly completes Phase One of the Barton Farmhouse.
Phase Two: Restoration involves adapting the house to its new roles as educator and community center. Funds for Phase Two: Restoration are being sought from foundations and other grant sources as well as from the local community -- both public and private sources.
Businesses interested in participating either by providing services or developing in-kind marketing partnerships are invited to contact Preservation Bloomfield via e-mail to info@preservationbloomfield.org.
THANK YOU!
It's THERE!
The Barton Farmhouse has come back to a Farm. Both sections made it successfully and are awaiting a more permanent foundation.
Thank you so much to all of you who have contributed to the enormous success of Part One from all of us at Preservation Bloomfield and the Save the Barton Farmhouse Committee.
Now comes the fun part. We need to put everything together again so that it becomes a living symbol of what a community can do to preserve its heritage and build for its future.
If you haven't contributed yet, or even if you have, think about adding some more (the Make a Donation button is over there on the left).
Come drive by what you've accomplished and see its potential.
It's a marvelous story and it's all yours!
What happened after the Groundbreaking
By Wednesday afternoon, July 9, excavation for the new basement for the Barton Farmhouse at the Bowers Farm had been completed and the two sections of the Farmhouse that will be moved had been separated from the newer (c 1920) additions and were on what are called 'cribs' getting ready for The Move. 
The Farmhouse Returns to the Farm
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Betsy Erikson, 248-341-5422, berikson@bloomfield.org
Historic Barton House to hit the road:
Community invited to “ride” along as a celebration and fundraiser
© 2008 preservationbloomfield.org
Save the Date for Beehive Ball III..... Friday May 14th, 2010
Mark your calendars for the Beehive Ball III to be held on Friday, May 14th, 2010.
This annual event is the premier dinner/dance organized by the Friends of Preservation Bloomfield. Fund raising has never been so much fun and this is a great chance to see neighbors and friends while at the same time investing in our heritage through ticket sales.
We are happy to announce that Rennie Kaufman will provide one man band entertainment. Rennie is well known in our community as the musician who can play anything and make it sound great.
Stay tuned for more updates!
In the meantime, keep the beehive spirit alive by checking out this quiz:
- Beehive Contest