05/02/2026
My small, "secret" project is finally revealed. It's an outhouse! All I was responsible for were the windows; I haven't done much work, it just got streched out over 3/4 of a year! This needed lots of help on jambs, stops, & trims inside & out. I got to use my historic nails salvaged from a local building; they absolutely still have strength. I rehabbed & reused the lumber wherever I could, and the owner gave me some salvaged wood to mill, too. She likes the rustic look. Sash were too far gone, so the owner sourced used ones but I had to strip them, build them up to fit the openings, reglaze, & refinish. Finally mounted the windows; done today. Yes, old sashlocks were used to hold them closed. New sills. Everything got linseed oil -- hardware, sash, jambs, sills, trims. Sash are painted in Old Village paint (Valley Forge Mustard). The owner will paint everything else. Can't wait to see the finished outhouse.
There's a story. This is an old property -- the house is ca. 1750. A German family had the house in the 1930s or earlier. The daughter then got the house & lived there until the '90s. The outhouse was taken from a local school that got indoor plumbing in the 1930s. It actually served as the only toilet for the old family & through the first year of the current owner's time! A tree crashed onto it during a hurricane or other recent storm, and she & friends fixed it up again but didn't finish.
The plan is to use it as an outdoor farm bathroom again. In one of my last photos, you can see the front edge of one of the two holes. It's a 2-seater!
I have to say, I really love these rustic, small jobs. I love being on farms! This one was the most novel, unexpected, happy job. Very glad to be there. Thank you!
And, friendly farm cat 🤎
