Rebuilding History In Randolph Story and photo layout by Bob Eddy

Rebuilding History In Randolph Story and photo layout by Bob Eddy

Built in 1820, a structure of three "horse sheds" were an important part of the stately brick mansion on Park Street in Randolph. They were destroyed by fire last January, but owners Don and Joyce Jacobs are replacing them with the same post and beam construction as the original. (Herald / Bob Eddy)

When rain-soaked snow collapsed the horse sheds of one of Randolph village’s oldest homes on January 8, owners Donald and Joyce Jacobs hoped to rebuild the historic structure. Thanks to Coop insurance and the skills of Brookfield Woodworks’ Glenn Urie, those hopes are being realized.

Built in 1820, the stately Park Street residence was home to Samuel Mann, the owner of several businesses including a distillery, general store, and freight company. Extending over 60 feet from the north side of the house, this two-story post and beam structure was a hub for shipping. Teams of horses and wagons needed to carry furniture, wood, wool, grain, flour and other products to and from Boston markets were housed and serviced here.

Beginning July 5, Glenn Urie fashioned a post and beam frame to replace the collapsed structure. On Monday, with the help of a crane, the 10x10" main frame, 8x8" floor joists, and 4x4" mortised studs and knee braces were assembled and pulled up into place. To insure that a repeat of January’s destruction doesn’t occur, the new frame is crafted from larger, stronger material.

"Everything went together perfectly," smiled Don Jacobs on the afternoon of assembly.

For his part, Urie is thrilled to be utilizing native materials in the replacement project. For the frame, northern forest hemlock was milled in Hardwick, the closest source for such massive dimensional wood. The structure’s sheething, also hemlock, is being provided by Dana Howard’s mill in Braintree.

Cutlines:

Standing atop the second floor knee-wall, Glenn Urie joins post to beam with timber pegs called ‘trunnels’ or ‘treenails.’

Though the first floor ceiling has been raised a bit, the 60’ long structure will be a duplicate of the original in construction method and materials used.

The sheds can be seen on the northern side of the Mann house in this historic image reprinted from "Early Photographs of Randolph, Vermont" by Wes Herwig.

January snow and rain brought the shed crashing down.