Schuylerville, NY – Timber framers and volunteers will be busy this summer raising the framework for the Champlain Canal Region Gateway Visitor Center near Fort Hardy Park in the Village of Schuylerville. The project, an undertaking by the Historic Hudson-Hoosic Rivers Partnership, and a collaborative effort of non-profit and federal, state, and local government entities to serve as a catalyst for sustainable tourism development and community revitalization in Rensselaer, Saratoga, and Washington Counties.
Having completed construction of the foundation, the Timber Framers Guild, and its volunteer crew will begin work to stage the first floor of the building beginning on May 23. Those who are interested in training with framing specialists will need to register ahead of time at www.tfguild.org. Space is limited. Anyone with questions can contact Dave Roberts at 518-424-9673.
On June 14, the team will begin arranging the timber frame to prepare for a media event and project celebration day scheduled for June 16. During an 11:00 am media event, the team will ceremoniously raise a cross section of the frame of the building. Partner organizations will also be on hand throughout the day at a community festival space onsite to celebrate this exciting new addition to the area. The raising of the rest of the frame will continue on Saturday, June 17.
The frame raising will continue in June until the building panels and roof panels are in place. The team anticipates the exterior of the building and roof to be complete by the end of July. Interior framing, partition walls, and mechanical systems will be ongoing through the summer and fall. Planning for the interior exhibits and interpretive signs will be concurrent with completion anticipated in May of 2018.
The design of the timber frame visitor center is inspired by the architectural stylings of the nearby Schuyler House. The work will be completed, in part, by the Timber Framers Guild, an organization committed to enriching the community through the craft of timber framing. Funding for this project has been secured through a number of grants from NYS and Saratoga County thanks to our local and state representatives.
For more information about the visitor center and construction, please visit www.hudsonhoosicpartnership.org/gvc. For more information about the Timber Framers Guild, please visit www.tfguild.org.