Studies & Assessments

 Past Studies and Assessments

"The Town Hall (built in 1781 and relocated in 1837) is an exquisite example of the late 18th century timber framing, with its large hewn, full-length timbers, and some of the finest examples of crafted trusses. The roof was built before engineers were much involved, or even available, using some of the best timber layout and executions I have seen. The flared, “gunstock” post tops are probably the biggest I have seen in forty years of looking at timber structures. The “double-top chord” trusses are the most nicely executed, and with some of the best material I have seen."

— Robert L. "Ben" Brungraber Ph.D.. P.E., Principal, of Fire Tower Engineered Timber, LLC. Appendix II, page 1.

"The buildings' structural systems are solid and there is a clear path for continuing them in service or renovating them to serve new needs." 

— Tracy S. Kozak, AIA, Arcove Architects, 2022 Town Hall Condition Assessment

"The master builder who designed your meetinghouse for this hilltop site built this frame to be particularly robust with concern for the winds it would necessarily bear." 

— Will Truax, The Truax Timberwright Woodworks