This re-cut beam mantel beam comes from an old barn near Green Isle, MN. The face and bottom show lots of original character. The top shows beautiful interior wood accented by nail stains, worm trails, and dark patina. This piece was originally and 8×8 beam. It was not particularly square as you can see the more tree-like characteristics of the original post.

Everyone calls that holey, trail-like character worm trails, but that’s actually the work of powder post beetles. What you’re seeing is decades of their work. We kiln treat the beams and cook them up to 135 degrees so that there are no new critters. It is interesting. In a barn, in the lower areas, we’ll see the work of powderpost beetles. However, toward the ceiling and rafters, we hardly see any of their busy-ness. It makes sense. Up high, the wood is drier and the heat can get too much for them at the top of the barns. So, they choose to hang out in the lower areas.

We think, but have not confirmed that this is an old Pinske Barn. We know Pete Pinske, who was a 3rd generation barn builder. His grandfather started building barns in the late 1800s. The Pinke’s were early pioneers of doing hip-roof barns. The hip-roof allowed the farmer to store more hay in the building. Pinske’s were probably building the hip roof barns 20 years before they were popular. The Pinske’s were also very good about selecting trees for lumber in the winter time. This gave them an advantage to build more barns in the summer time with better lumber. Pete recently helped build a house for his grand-nephew where they reclaimed wood from one of the original barns that Pete’s grandfather built. They used material for cabinets an other decor. So the wood ended up traveling 5 generations.

Oh yes, you gotta love that vintage tag – Santa’s Helper. “From Candy canes to stocking fillers, why not get the little shopping chores done by telephone this season. And save your extra trips… use your Yellow Pages to locate those last-minute gift ideas and to call about special holiday store hours. Bell Systems.” This is from the 1960s — well before the Web.