Building Gypsy Rose

Historically, the building of homes had been an endeavor that relied primarily on local input - individuals, families, and communities. Here in rural New England, the “barn raising” was a common event. Once the timbers had been shaped and assembled on site into their sectional assemblies (called bents), an invitation went out for assistance in raising the barn (or home). Many people, some traveling long distances, came together for the event, bringing food and musical instruments in addition to their brawn. After the barn’s frame went up with the aid of many dozens of helping hands, the day was capped with a barn dance to celebrate the milestone.

Participation in a barn raising was not taken lightly. Each person who came to assist knew that they, too, might need help someday.

Today the creation of a new home (or barn) looks much different. For the most part, homes are no longer built by their owners, but rather by teams of assemblers who piece together the prefabricated components on a foundation. Rafter trusses, pre-hung windows and doors, plastic siding and trim are delivered to the site by truck. Cranes offload the pieces and crews fit them together, often with the help of specialized tools.

One of the things that I like most about the growing interest in small houses is the fact that many enthusiasts are drawn by the prospect of building their own home using readily available materials and basic tools. There is something about a tiny house that seems inherently achievable even by those with little building experience. A growing number of folks have decided, “I can do that!”

For those first-time homebuilders, the role of community is still as vital as it was in days of old. The face of that community has changed, however. Today, in addition to our families, friends, and neighbors, we have expansive online communities through which we can draw on the collective experience in a way that was unimaginable to previous generations. By virtue of the internet, we have great possibilities for community participation in a new form of barn raising. Online forums, discussion groups, and blogs offer millions of do-it-yourself home builders the chance to share what they’ve learned (and proudly display their creations) while also drawing on the expertise of those who’ve preceded them. It may lack the live music of a barn dance at the end of the day, but it’s a community nonetheless.

So what does all this have to do with making maple syrup on a sunny March day? Well, here’s the story behind the photos.

We finally had a good run of sap from our sugar maples and were ready to boil it down to syrup. I was preparing to assemble a makeshift evaporator setup after shoveling out a patch in the two-feet of snow that still stands on the front lawn. We’d invited an old friend to join us. Chuck braved the early season mud and walked the half mile to our land carrying bags of food and libations. We settled in for an afternoon of feeding the fire under the large kettle of sap.

Then, at 3 p.m., a young couple, accompanied by their 3-year-old son and a local builder made their own trek up our snowy path. They’d decided to build their own portable home. Their search for ideas led them to the Gypsy Rose blog. To their delight, they found that we were located in the same state and asked if they could come for a visit and ask questions about our experience – both building and living in a small home.

“Sure!” we said.

They arrived just as Chuck was taking food off the grill – plenty to go around. In that Sunday afternoon sunshine we enjoyed the company of an old friend and answered the questions of a new acquaintance while boiling down the bountiful, sweet sap that flowed from the trees that surround the meadow.