The [walnut] will be used to make case goods and furniture. . . in the Single Brothers’ House trades shops.
Old Salem’s trades staff contacted their coun- terparts at Colonial Williamsburg, knowing that they were looking for elm to use in the repro- duction of a historic printing press. Colonial Williamsburg jumped at the opportunity and, with a moving truck, made the journey to Salem to procure the wood. Henry Ford’s old adage of being twice warmed
on Factory Row but had to be removed after it was struck by lightning. Nat Norwood, Historic Trades Director, predicts the wood will be used to make case goods and furniture reproduced by traditional means in the Single Brothers’ House. Trades staff also recognized the value of the
trunk pieces craned down from the American elm tree that stood near the southwest corner of the Volz Barn. American elms, either standing or cut, have become rare in recent decades as the species has succumbed to blight across the coun- try. The removal of this tree marked the end of a long struggle to preserve it. Not wishing to lose the elm material to firewood or other lesser use,
by cutting one’s own firewood rings true for Salem in this instance. No doubt staff and vol- unteers were warmed physically by the exertion of a good day’s work, but the camaraderie of a joint and higher purpose forged new friendships as it warmed hearts. The fire of ingenuity found a lasting spark in the reuse of materials and the spirit of conservation. For more information about the North
Carolina Urban Forest Council and to see more photos of the work performed in Salem, visit their website at
www.ncufc.org. m
Robbie King is Director of Facilities at Old Salem Museums & Gardens.
Spring/Summer 2010
27
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