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Each year in what has become an annual tradition for Guild volunteers and the cadets at Virginia Military Institute is a spring timber framing project organized by VMI Professor Grigg Mullen. This year the project was laying out, cutting and raising a boat shed to cover a canal boat on display at a local park. The frame was designed by Andy Smith, a 1999 alum of VMI and a TFG member.

Lexington used to be the terminus of the James River Canal system. Before railroads, freight was brought to and from town by canal boat. The island in the Maury river where the park is now located was formerly the industrial center of Lexington. Two years ago the cadets and the local Rotary Club put up a picnic shelter on the island.

The cadets devoted Saturday and Sunday, April 5 and 6, to laying out and cutting the frame at Grigg Mullen's shop, and Monday was spent prefitting and loading the trailer. Tuesday was raising day on the island. As an added attraction this year, the author of "Backyard Ballistics," Bill Gurstelle, joined the activities.

In addition to Grigg, you'll see other familiar faces on the project: Al Thomas, Laurie Macrea, Paul Magann, Bill Keir, Dan Fadden, Tom Barfield, J.P. Morris, and many others.

Photos by J.P. Morris and Paul Magann
Click on any photo for a larger view

Group Photo Slide Show Octagon House