Restoration Updates - Winter 2004

With a renovation of this scale, it became apparent that a lot of old Louisiana cypress would be needed particularly  in the rebuilding of the Norman-truss roof system of the house.   Mr. John Cummings of Whitney Plantation, our neighbor from down-river in Wallace, La, graciously donated such needed materials.  Finishing up on the demolition phase and with a scaffolding and tarpaulin over the house work began in earnest.  The re-renovation crew had to build many tools for making pegs and notching joints in these cypress beams.   (Nail guns are not found on this construction site).  Modern techniques were not used, rather the rebuilding crew are emulating many of the original Senegalese methods of construction in the re-renovation.  Sure, it takes a little longer, but we know the job is being done right!

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