Ep 2. Hidden History

In Barnwood Builders season 8 episode 2, entitled "Hidden History," the team of master craftsmen are called upon to preserve a historic log cabin in Virginia. The cabin has been in the same family for many generations, but hasn't been lived in for quite some time. The family is now looking to bring the cabin back to life so that future generations can learn about their family history.

As the team begins to dismantle the cabin, they uncover some fascinating pieces of history. One of the first discoveries is a secret hideaway that was built into the walls of the cabin. The space is big enough to hold a few people, and was likely used during times of danger or conflict.

Another interesting discovery is a series of markings on the logs. These markings were made by the original builders of the cabin, and they tell a story about the building process and the people involved. Each mark represents a specific builder, and gives insight into how the cabin was constructed.

In addition to these hidden secrets, the team also discovers that the cabin was built using a unique construction technique. Instead of using traditional corner notching, the logs were simply stacked on top of each other and held in place by a system of wooden pegs. This technique is not commonly seen in traditional log cabins, and adds to the historical significance of the building.

As the team works to dismantle the cabin piece by piece, they are careful to preserve as much of the original material as possible. The logs are all carefully marked and sorted so that they can be used to reconstruct the cabin later on. The team also carefully removes any nails or other metal pieces from the logs so that they can be returned to their original state.

Once the cabin has been completely dismantled, the team takes it back to their workshop where they begin the process of restoring it. This involves cleaning and sanding each log to remove any dirt and debris, as well as repairing any damage that has been done over the years.

One of the most interesting aspects of the restoration process is recreating the unique construction technique used in the original cabin. The team spends a lot of time researching and experimenting to make sure they get this right, so that the finished product is as historically accurate as possible.

Overall, "Hidden History" is a fascinating look at the work that goes into preserving historic buildings. The episode highlights the importance of preserving historical buildings and the stories they tell, and showcases the incredible skill and dedication of the Barnwood Builders team.