Thanks Ken, we were thinking of you on the tour. There is still a lot of little details I want to discuss here about the barns (in due time). And I'm all for helping publish something definitive about this frame type.
Though I'm learning as I go, It is a compelling and satisfying enterprise--as well as unexpected. I've lived here in the area (Cumberland County, Maine) my whole life (I am 38 yrs old). And I've driven by these places for years. Many are so unassuming... It's fascinating to find them of interest to the TFG community. In short, I am glad to offer up my time as a contributor to the effort.
Gabel:
You raise some good points. I know many Barn owners are not aware of their frame typologies, etc... The owner of our second barn on the tour has been a carpenter, owned his barn for over 30 years, and did not realize the building was constructed w/out top plates until I visitied him last winter for my little barn series here in the local paper. It was an eureka moment for both of us when we realized it.
Anyway, you may recall the Vermont Barn Census posting I did a short time ago. Well, I emailed the folks involved to request the CG phenomenon be part of the census recording... I've yet to hear from them. But it's a step toward what you suggest. There are Hist. societies here that I'm friendly with. Perhaps they can do a mailing??? Perhaps there is a type of umbrella historical society organization here in New England that could enlist more towns/ groups?
As an aside, Will was curious about the ethnicity /settlement history of this area. I told him that Gray, Maine was originally called "New Boston." And the very next town of Windham, was originally named "New Marblehead." When you throw "New Gloucester" (which borders Gray) into the mix, he realized these old names are right from the same area of Massachusetts... which ultimately leads straight to England. Folks in Marblehead and Gloucester, Mass should be contacted about their barns for comparison.
