2003 Rendezvous

Russell Colbath Homestead Visitors' Center & Rendezvous
White Mountain National Forest, Albany, New Hampshire
September 2-12, 2003

Experienced Guild members and aspiring timber framers come from all over the U.S. for a chance to work on a large hammer-beam frame.

Built in 1832, the Russell-Colbath Historic homestead is the area's only remaining 19th Century homestead and is now being used as a U.S. Forest Service Information Center. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the house is a classic gray clapboard cape with a center chimney, shingled roof and small-pane windows. The Guild will help build a new Visitors' Center this September.

This project is best suited to folks interested in production techniques and applied practice using both hand and power tools. There is plenty of room for even the novice chiseler to practice edge tool techniques and strategies, learn layout techniques in rough sawn timber, observe and be introduced to both traditional and modern morticing machinery, move thousands of pounds of wood, and create a new barn on a tight schedule.

Guild rendezvous are designed to make timber framing community service events accessible to people who are willing to trade labor for learning in that time-honored tradition. This is another in a series of combination workshop/rendezvous, with plenty of room for folks of all skill and experience levels.

While there is lots of work, we guarantee that your contributions will be well appreciated. You will be well fed, housed, and you will have meaningful work, whatever your skill or experience level.

Educational component

An important part of these events is the educational component. Tuesday, September 2, there will be a NELMA timber grader on site verifying the grade of the materials (engineering for the frame is based on a specific minimum grade) and giving attendees an explanation of and demonstration of the grader's skill. NELMA is a manufacturers' association that develops and implements quality control standards for the lumber producing and using public.

Tuesday evening we will be starting the discussion of production layout and layout in irregular materials.

Wednesday evening we will be discussing joinery selection and the engineering concerns that are driving these decisions.

Thursday evening local woodworker Larry Ross will discuss sharpening and plane restoration.

Friday evening is the clambake (lobsters, steamers, corn, potato salad) with an assist by our campground hosts from last year. Those who attended can verify the quality of the show. We do need to know if you will be attending this dinner by September 2.

The rest of the evening schedule is left a little flexible as we are still adding to the list of potentials. You will not lack for opportunity to learn from others as even the campfire sessions are conducive to continuing education.

The campfire is scheduled to be well away from the campsites to better observe the quiet time restriction of 10 pm at the campground. Bring your musical instruments and an excellent attitude.

Travel & Accommodations

The homestead is located 12 miles west of Conway, New Hampshire, on the Kancamagus Highway, one of the 12 most scenic byways in the United States. The campground is adjacent and connected to the site by foot/ bike path. Meals are being provided by local restaurants and served on site. Conway is about 130 miles north of Boston on Route 16, and about 100 miles from the Manchester, NH airport, a regional airport with discount carrier and major airline service (airport code is MHT).

There will be activities in the area for family members, courtesy of last year's hosts, the White Mountain Attractions people in North Woodstock, so bring the family if you can. Most of the tourists and most of the bugs will be gone. Average day time temperatures around 70 F and night time around 40 F but frost is a possibility. Moose are a certainty.

Participation Requirements

Participation is by resume. Your resume can be as simple as a summary of relevant (if any) experience. We are committed to the idea of mixing the skill levels in order to further spread the timber frame virus, so don't hesitate to apply, even if your timber framing portfolio is thin. Professional timber framers are also expected to supply a modest resume, so that we'll know where you fit in.

We are looking for enthusiastic individuals of all skill levels. Rookies will pay a modest tuition, to offset instruction and supervision costs. Professional timber framers will need to bring their own tools.

Participation is by resume. Please fill out the attached questionnaire and return by email to Joel@tfguild.org, fax to 888-453-0879, or mail to PO Box 60 Becket, MA 01233. We are committed to the idea of mixing the skill levels in order to further spread the practical working knowledge of timber framing , so don't hesitate to apply, even if your timber framing portfolio! is thin. Professional timber framers are also expected to return the same questionnaire. Professionals that bring pesonal tools to the job can choose to not share them with others, we understand. Tools that are shared can be compensated modestly for their contribution to the project. Details available uopn request.

Please make sure that your health insurance is up to date, and that you have rugged clothes and boots, ear, eye, and head protection.Rain gear is a good idea but we have two large tents to work in. A modest tool list and maps will be sent to all registrants. Prepare for long days of hard work and exuberant camaraderie.

Call 603 835 2077 or write Joel McCarty at any time to discuss how you can join in. For specific local information call Curtis Milton at 603-356-7010 or write milton@ncia.net.

Joel McCarty and Curtis Milton (3rd and 4th from left) with members of the U.S. Forest Service and the Passaconaway Civic Association at the official Groundbreaking for the Russell Colbath Visitors' Center May 9. The Russell Colbath Homestead is in the background.

Thomas Harris of North Haverhill felling trees at the Visitor Rendezvous Site. June 12, 2003. Photo by Russell Ley.

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