Solid cherry beams in an old barn are a nice find! While we do cherry see it from time to time, it was not a common wood to use for buildings. And it seems that when we do find it, it is just not the greatest material. It tends to run small and cracked with lots of lighter-colored sapwood. We were fortunate with this mantel shelf. We cut quite a bit from a larger piece to make it workable, but in the end, it is turning out great. This cherry mantel shelf has a very clean modern look on the face and bottom but has all of the hallmarks of an old reclaimed piece on the top. There’s an interesting crack with lots of nail holes and nail stains. This one could certainly be flipped upside down as well so the reclaimed side is more or less visible. There is also one picture in there that shows parts of the original surface.

The piece currently has no finish applied. The topcoat finish will make it darker — much like the few sample pictures with mineral spirits splashed on. Cherry also naturally darkens over time with UV rays, so I would expect it to get even darker. We can accelerate that a bit with some different methods, or we can try to slow it down with a UV-protecting finish. A little suntan lotion never hurts.

This cherry mantel shelf is currently priced as sanded but no finish applied. We can apply finish for an additional $75.

The current dimensions are: 3.75in tall x 5.75in deep x 65.5in long. We are happy to cut to any size and re-finish at no additional cost.

The source beam was purchased from one of our regular Amish suppliers in Southwest Wisconsin. Because it was circle-sawn and not hewn, I’d imagine that the barn dated back to the early 1900s. This area of the country has rolling hills that remember a simpler time when cows could roam free and farming was a way of life. The hills remind me of my childhood when farming was a balance between people and nature. These old post and beam barns are from a time long gone, and soon the remaining ones will be gone too.

It can be shipped anywhere in the lower 48 states via FedEx Gnd for $125

About the tag – A Sweeping New Purchasing Plan from Petro’s. This advertisement dates back to the 1920s. Sadly, I can’t find any history on it. I think, but maybe wrong, that the workman is delivering a gas meter so that the customer can add natural gas service to their house.