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18thC Smokehouse

October 26, 2013 By rbwrobert

When a customer living in one of the oldest structures on the Eastern Shore came to us in need of a new well house, we were thrilled.  Not only was it our good fortune to be  part of  a project with local historic significance, but it was also an opportunity to build a  historical replica in which attention to detail was paramount, and function was a priority.  Our client, a Professor of Folklife and Folklore, knew the importance of the smokehouse on an eighteenth century farm and that the proportions would yeild a well organized, multi-functional storage shed.


This was a fascinating project to be a part of. We worked closely with our client to use the appropriate materials right down to the hand cut nails. The cypress siding is milled just two hours south of here by Gates Custom Milling of Gates, North Carolina. The cypress exterior trim details and door were manufactured in our shop.

Construction Detail



Door HardwareThe lock is a rebuilt early 19th century original, right down to the clinch nails.

Roof ViewRed cedar shingles set on local pine purlins that along with the interior sheathing were harvested and milled a mile from our shop.



Foundation ViewAnd while stone was not easily accessible to our colonial predecessors on the Eastern Shore, these stone steps have supported both form and function in the overall treatment  and use of this structure.



Read our next Featured Project: Masterful Addition

Filed Under: Projects Tagged With: Feature, Historic, Shed

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  • “Master”ful Addition
  • 18thC Smokehouse
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For the past 11 years, we've called this beautiful corner of Church Neck our home. The shop is always open, but mind the sheep!

9782 Church Neck Rd.
Machipongo, VA 23405

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