Poplar Cottage Construction Timber Frame Repair Erection

Rebuilding Poplar Cottage

Repair and Re-erection of the Timber Frame

Timber by timber, the Museum’s team of carpenters has re-assembled the repaired and conserved beams like a giant three-dimensional jigsaw. Visitors were fascinated by the Lego-like reconstruction process. The timbers were prepared throughout the winter in a project led by Museum research director Richard Harris and carpenter Roger Champion, who is masterminding the cottage’s re-erection. The cottage will be interpreted to contrast its construction and social status with the Museum’s recreated medieval farm.

Museum Director Chris Zeuner, Research Director Richard Harris.	Carpenter Roger Champion
Roger Champion repairing timbers watched by visitors to the Museum	A typical repair where a joint has disintegrated

Work started on 10 April 1999 the exciting process of raising the timber-frame - like a giant three-dimensional jigsaw generated considerable interest among the public. The following sequence shows the erection of the timber frame and the roof timbers.

1) Start with a pile of timbers	2) Wall plates placed on a modern foundation
3) Second side starts to take shape	4) Window opening
5) Tighten the frame using traditional tools	6) Second side nears completion
7) Good to see he's happy in his work!	8) Place the roof plate
9) Detail of a peg joint	10) The roof timbers are added

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