Thanks for opening up with a good question, shows you are careful observer.
I wondered if anyone would pick that feature out, When most people think of drivesheds, you might in your minds eye think of drivsheds similar to say those that appeared by churches their only role was to shelter the horses during a church service.
In reality there were many other types of drivesheds, we have 4 different kinds in different areas of the UCV's historic zone, 2 of which I helped reconstruct during my time there,
This driveshed was chosen for reproduction because of its unusual heavy framing members, and of course it exceptional framing details.
The inset horizontal tie beam in each end of the building that you are referring to, would seem to many to be unnecessary, but in reality it is on the same level as the other 2 centre tie beams, and was there to accept a complete floor covering stretching from one end of the building to the other. This area was sometimes used to store hay, and at times being that it was a driveshed associated with a grist mill, used to store grain in large bins, and maybe bags, barrels, or any other item necessary to keep the mill running.
These bents were exceptionally heavy to raise, and we enlisted the help of a gin pole and pulley blocks that had been used to move buildings with, and that were in storage.
We were able to hoist 3 bents from one setting of the gin pole, and then to hoist the 4th bent we had to reposition the gin to the opposite end and lift the last bent in reverse to the others.
I will be posting some good shots of the gin pole in the next short while.
Thanks again for posting the question I hope everyone enjoyed learning alittle something about drivesheds. I could describe further many other types but only if there is an interest.
