Spring House
From a historical construction standpoint, mortise and tenon type framing was labor intensive. Framing bents had to be carefully laid out for location and dimensions. Mortises and tenons had to be prepared using augers and chisels. Following the completion of forming operations, tenons had to be inserted into the mortise joints. Once inserted, augers were used to drill holes through the assembled framing members to accept the wood pegs. The resulting joint was exceptionally strong and far superior to a conventional nailed joint connection.
Typical construction practices were to preassemble all the barn bents flat on the ground. The foundation was prepared, and huge sill plates were laid down. Mortise joints were prepared in the sill plates to accept the tenon joint located on the bottom of each vertical post. After all the bents had been preassembled, the task of raising these huge sections into their vertical position required the efforts of many people, hence the barn raising tradition. The barn raising tradition in America evolved into one of the most festive occasions of rural farm life. Except for church gatherings, it was one of the few opportunities farm families had to gather, to gossip, to eat and have fun. There was no shortage of manpower to raise the great barn structures of our nation.
With the growth of Anderson Circle Farm, accommodations for overnight guest were needed. Since this need existed, what better use to make of the magnificent barn structure than to reconstruct it to a guesthouse. Ralph and Ruth thus conceived the birth of the Springhouse. It would be used by guests of Anderson Circle Farm as a retreat house and getaway spot for the weekend. However, the location on Route 127 was less than desirable for a guesthouse. Without a second thought, Ralph decided that the barn structure would be moved to one of the most beautiful and historic spots on the farm, i.e. Shawnee Springs.
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