Reconstructing the Elmer Crowell Barn

Join David Ottinger, Antique Buildings and Materials for a talk on the project to reconstruct the Elmer Crowell barn and the history of New England barns. 

An expert in historic building restoration and antique barns, Ottinger was hired by the Town of Harwich to reconstruct the Elmer Crowell barn from original materials.  The c. 1895 barn housed the workshop of Harwich’s famous bird carver whose highly sought after carvings and decoys are known around the world.  The barn originally stood next to Crowell’s home in East Harwich. It was dismantled many years ago, put into storage, and recently donated to the town to serve as a museum for Elmer Crowell   The project was funded by Community Preservation Funds. 

 The barn showcases Crowell’s workshop, and chronicles his life through audiovisual and photographic displays, tools, bird-carving demonstrations, and workshops.  The barn is open Thursdays, 1-6; Friday and Saturdays, 1-4 pm.