Barnwood Builders Season 15 Episode 7 Preserving a Local Legend
- TVG
- May 19, 2022
- 44 min
The episode of Barnwood Builders season 15 titled "Preserving a Local Legend" takes viewers on a thrilling journey to rescue an old water-powered sawmill that's been in ruins for nearly 20 years. The sawmill, which operated from 1900 to 2003, had fallen into disrepair and been abandoned in 2002 when its last owner passed away, leaving it to the elements. Recognizing its historical value as a contributor to the local economy, a community organization decides to take on the responsibility of restoring the sawmill to its former glory.
The Barnwood Builders are called in to help with the restoration project. The team is tasked with exploring the site's hidden treasures and recovering as much material as possible to be used in the restoration. The team uses their knowledge of old barns and other structures to assess what materials are salvageable and make an inventory of what can be used for the rebuilding process.
The episode showcases the tricky and challenging process of rescuing the beams and logs from the sawmill site. This episode emphasizes how the Barnwood Builders team takes great care to preserve the materials so they can continue to tell the story of the sawmill's rich history. Viewers also get an insight into the challenges that come with preserving older structures since rot, weather damage, and pests can all be major contributors to decay over the years.
The team finds several surprises on the site, including a stacked half-lap log cabin that was once used as temporary housing for workers who traveled to the sawmill to work. The team decides to disassemble the cabin and transport it to their workshop so that it can be restored and preserved alongside the mill. Throughout the episode, the Barnwood Builders share their knowledge of the value of preserving these historic structures and how the materials themselves are a testament to the past.
The episode also delves into the significance of the sawmill to the surrounding community and highlights how the project involves so much more than just the physical reconstruction of the site. The viewers are introduced to several locals who recount their memories of visiting the mill in the past, the economic key role it played in the community, and how the restored structure will be a catalyst for future economic growth. The team needs to be very careful and use their expertise to ensure that once the restored mill reopens, it will be safe and functional for tour guides and visitors alike.
Throughout the episode, the team faces multiple challenges, including an enormous tree blocking the access road to the sawmill site. They have to come up with creative solutions to overcome these obstacles. After a few ingenious plans, including tapping into the neighboring energy grid, the team finally got the large sawmill rewired and powered up, taking the restoration project to the next level.
In conclusion, this episode of Barnwood Builders is a tribute to craftsmanship, history, and community. As they take on the task of restoring an old sawmill and cabin, the team shows their ability to navigate challenges of preserving historic structures in a rapidly changing world, while respecting and highlighting the significance of these structures to their community. "Preserving a Local Legend" is an inspiring watch for anyone interested in restoration, history, or rural American life.