Links

American Chestnut Foundation

In 1983, a group of prominent scientists formed the American Chestnut Foundation to restore chestnut trees to the hardwood forest. Prior to 1904, the American chestnut was one of the most important trees in our eastern hardwood forests until a fungus virtually wiped it out. Visit their site to find out how you can help the group continue their work.

Association for Preservation Technology

The Association for Preservation Technology International (APT) is a multidisciplinary organization dedicated to “advancing the application of technology to the conservation of the built environment.”

Building Materials and Wood Technology at UMass

The University of Massachusetts at Amherst offers a four-year degree program for students seeking a career in the building materials industry. The Building Materials and Wood Technology program prepares students to be leaders in the professional management of the companies that manufacture, distribute, and use building materials. Their site (http://www.umass.edu/bmatwt) offers many good links, as well as the chance to ask questions of such experts as Paul Fisette, director of the program, and R. Bruce Hoadley, noted professor, author, and consultant on the fundamental properties of wood.

Covered Bridges

Atawalk, based in Toronto, Canada, is devoted to conserving and promoting covered bridges. Listings provide detailed information on covered bridges all over the world.

Covered Bridges in Michigan

According to Michael Frazier, who created the Michigan covered bridge site "Time, flood, fire and modernization have taken their toll on the covered bridges of Michigan, [but they] offer a diversity of settings and architectural styles spanning a broad range of history and culture."

Covered Bridges of Vermont

Everything you ever wanted to know about Vermont's covered bridges, and as an added bonus there are a few New York bridges as well.

New York State Covered Bridge Society

Currently with some 500 members, the New York State Covered Bridge Society (NYSCBS) was formed in 1966 to bring covered bridge enthusiasts together to help preserve the old historic covered spans. Other purposes of the Society are to work with local communities interested in saving bridges, to collect information on all New York State covered bridges and to make such historical information available to its members. Visit their Web site at www.nycoveredbridges.org/.

Parke County's Covered Bridges

Parke County in west central Indiana claims to be the Covered Bridge Capital of the World, with its 32 covered bridges. You be the judge.

Friends of Ohio Barns

This non-profit organization was formed to promote awareness of the significance of Ohio's Barns. Its members also seek to encourage programs that provide resources for Ohio barns' stewardship and conservation as a lasting icon of our cultural heritage.

Directory of Forest Products, Wood Science & Marketing

This site, compiled and maintained by Steve Shook at the University of Idaho, is an excellent resource for locating information on forest products, its industry and marketing; wood science and technology; wood engineering; wood industry associations, consultants, and data sources; and wood products-based research institutions. The site lists 1,675+ links (www.forestdirectory.com).

Forest Products Laboratory Wood Handbook

Summarizes information on wood as an engineering material. Presents properties of wood and wood-based products of particular concern to the architect and engineer. Includes discussion of designing with wood and wood-based products along with some pertinent uses.

National Network of Forest Practitioners

The National Network of Forest Practitioners (NNFP) is an organization of non-profits, small businesses, agency officials, and researchers working for rural change. The Network serves as a forum where members can share ideas, acquire and provide technical assistance, and gain access to research, policy makers, and funding sources. Visit their Web site at (www.nnfp.org ).

Historic Barns

The Barn Journal on-line is dedicated to the appreciation and preservation of traditional farm architecture.

Jan's House of Hope

As described by the organizers, this project is “a Dream Home built to promote cancer awareness,” a project by Jerry Rouleau.

Medieval Timber Frame

The Spon End Building Preservation Trust is a group restoring a medieval timber frame building (built in 1390) in Coventry, England, at a cost of 1.2 million pounds. In an email message to us, Kevin Noble reports, “The building isn't much to look at from the outside but inside we still have over 85% of the original 600-year-old timber frame. The building constitutes a row of six merchants houses.” He invites your comments about the project.

National Center for Preservation Technology and Training

Part of the National Park Service, the NCPTT states its goal is to “promote and enhance the preservation of historic resources in the United States.” You can visit it at http://www.ncptt.nps.gov and the National Park Service's Web site at http://www.nps.gov.

National Trust

The National Trust for Historic Preservation provides leadership, education and advocacy to save America's diverse historic places and revitalize our communities.

Oregon's Department of Transportation History Center

Oregon used to have 150 to 200 covered bridges but most of the bridges have been torn down. This site shows historical photographs of 150+ covered bridges, and more.

Preservation Trades Network

This network is a task force of the Association for Preservation Technology. Its goal is “to provide a much-needed opportunity for both experienced and novice members of the preservation trades community to exchange experiences, skills, and ideas.”

Structural Insulated Panel Association

The SIPA Web site offers “general information on where to get SIPs [and] presents technical information including energy efficiency, research reports, construction details, and design tips to help promote SIP construction. There is also information to help designers, contractors, regulators, and building/home owners communicate with and educate target audiences on the properties of SIPs.”

Timber Building in Australia & the Tasmanian Timber Information Page

The Australian Timber site, according to the introduction, is "being developed as an information service to Australia's architects, engineers, and building professionals, and is being produced by architects and research staff of the Timber Research Unit of the Department of Architecture at the University of Tasmania. It is sponsored by the Tasmanian Timber Industry." A related site is the Tasmanian Timber site. Copious information and many photos to browse through await you at both sites.

Timber Frame Business Council

The Timber Frame Business Council (TFBC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing awareness of the benefits of timber frame construction. The TFBC member companies include builders and designers of timber frame homes, panel manufacturers, and other related businesses.

VTWood

Virginia Tech's Department of Wood Science & Forest Products offers programs in Timber Engineering, Bio-Based Materials Engineering & Recycling, Forest Products Marketing, Wood-Based Composites & Adhesives, Wood Chemistry, Process Automation, and Wood Pallet Design. To learn more or to request one of more than 200 wood-related bulletins and abstracts, go to the VT Wood site at www.vtwood.forprod.vt.edu/. Most of the bulletins are free for the asking.

Woodworker's Journal

This publication is a source for woodworking tips, techniques, tool reviews, and back issues with project plans for furniture, cabinets, and the like.

Yestermorrow Design/Build School

Founded in 1980, the non-profit Yestermorrow Design/Build School offers courses in woodworking, home design and building, and other related topics. The Vermont Department of Education has approved certain courses to be eligible for college credits. According to the school's Web site at www.yestermorrow.org, "the best built environment is dependent on the joint involvement and close cooperation of designers, builders, and owners.”