Well, another interpretive season is in the books. Time to lose the beards and drop the regional English dialects. Time to exchange our pipkins for coffee cups and our canvas for carhartts.
If we may say it, we finished the year in fine fashion, introducing thousands of museum guests to the unmitigated joy that is Plimoth Plantation’s saw-pit. Each Thanksgiving, we wrap up the year with a bonanza of pit-sawing–it’s our version of Thanksgiving football.
'tis like unto x-box, only different.
Several notable guests took turns joining us in the pit, including Mark’s son, who shows some promise as a pitman. Old friend and former artisan Rick C. happily took a turn below and he didn’t miss a beat. Bob Reimel, who’s runs a portable saw mill and does some amazing work, stopped by because, we assume, he wanted to see some “real” sawing. He had never pit-sawn before, so we convinced him to give it a try. Bob rocked the pit with an unorthodox but effective full-body technique. He even did a little steering on his own accord when we started trending off the line. Very impressive! This man understands sawing and wood-grain in any century and with any saw.
Some enthusiastic young people helped us carry the newly quartered oak away from the saw-pit, much to the delight of their parents. I’ve never seen a 4 x 4 x 8′ walking to its destination with so many shuffling feet. Many hands make light the labor. It was a fitting way to conclude our public season.
Prognosticators say the coming winter will be snowier and more “winter-like” than last, whose mild temperatures led to dandelions in January. Que sera sera–our off-season checklist is extensive, and includes standing up the Cooke house frame in addition to much-needed maintenance of existing houses. Through it all, we’ll keep you posted.
We haven’t said it in a while: Thanks for your readership and support of The Riven Word! Thanks for subscribing and commenting on our posts and for keeping us honest and on-point. It’s a journey of discovery and we’re tickled to have you along for the ride!
Send us off with a flourish, Keegan!
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Tags: 17th century house, English carpentry, pitsawing, Plimoth Plantation, The Francis Cooke House, timber frame
Sounds a little like my “do all that other stuff” season! It can be pretty heavy duty work, but a relief to have some of the other pressures off! I look forward to seeing that frame go up – and the canoe made.
No, thank you. It’s always a pleasure watching the story unfold at Plimoth…. even from the other side of the globe!
Thank you for having me! Love the ride
love the blog, so interesting—
You guys are the very BEST! Especially when you’re in the village with us. You add so much vitality, charisma, and testosterone. Thanks so much. Now on to the goat house…
And moxie. Don’t forget the moxie, Ray!
I’m glad I was able to do that! It brought back so many good memories and it makes me feel great to know that the things I dreamed about in terms of honest portrayal of period woodworking could actually happen. I am really impressed by the progress that has been made since my tenure with regard to saw sharpness, set, etc. In the old days, we relied on the chainsaw mill because we could very rarely get this right.
That’s really nice of you to say, Rick. It means a lot coming from you. We’re really glad that you and Colleen stopped by. As for that beast of a chainsaw mill, my forearms are still tingling and numb from using it!