WESTON — A timber framed, pole building designed and erected by the DIY Cable Network “Barnwood Builders” and donated to WVU-Jackson Mill for use as an Heritage Center is about 90 percent completed according to WVU extension specialist Dean Hardman of Weston.
Construction on the project began in April for filming of a Barnwood Builders espisode schedule for broadcast this fall. Hardman said that the owner of Barnwood Builders is Mark Bowe, of White Sulphur Springs West Virginia, who is a graduate of West Virginia University. Bowe has always had a fondness for Jackson’s Mill since his days as a 4-H camper. “He contacted the extension service and asked if there was something he could do to help” Hardman added.
WVU agreed to let Barnwood Builders construct the basic structure, which they designed, out of centuries old wood, offsite at the company’s Greenbrier County “boneyard” and transport it to the building site at the Mill and erect it. A team from Jackson’s Mill coordinated the site preparation work – and Bowe and his crew instructed the WVU team — in the use of tools and techniques from pioneer days — on raising the structure and putting on the finishing touches.
The group worked for three days through rain, flooding, snow and sleet in April to build the 16-by-20-foot structure. Since that time the WVU team has added siding, doors and windows. A full-width covered porch also will be added, along with steps and a ramp so the building can be accessed by those with disabilities.
Hardman says when completed the building will be a place where ‘Heritage Artists’ can display their works and actually demonsrate their art forms to the public. He hopes to have the project ‘far enough along’ to informally open the structure to visitors to the Jackson’s Mill Jubilee which is held at WVU-Jackson’s Mill Labor Day weekend.
A formal dedication of the Heritage Center, with the Barwood Builders crew in attendance is planned at a later date.
Don’t forget there is FREE parking at the 44th Annual Jackson’s Mill Jubilee, FREE Shuttle Bus service from the old Jackson’s Mill Airport to the Jubilee Grounds, FREE Golf Cart Rides for those who need them on the WVU-Jackson’s Mill Camus, Admission is still just $5-dollars a day, Children undrer 3 admitted FREE. Don’t miss this years Jubilee Labord Day weekend, August 31 to September 2, 2018