1854 Crib Dam Lives on As Art

The Rappahannock River Crib Dam has earned a second life among artisan-carpenters who are turning the items into intricate sculptures. Artis Emmet Kane's A Journey of Hope, carved from a timber from the 1854 dam, "symbolizes immigration and travel" according to Christopher Yates of the Columbus Dispatch. The focus of his article was an Ohio exhibit of pieces produced by artists associated with the Fredericksburg based Historical Woods of America, an organization obtains fallen timber from historic properties and distributes it to craftsmen for repurposing.

The exhibit, "National Treasures: History in the Making" is currently on display at the Ohio Craft Museum. It features the work of Emmet Kane, who transformed the crib dam pine into a nuanced construction entitled A Journey of Hope. 

HWA's mission is "the reclamation, salvaging and creative repurposing of historical trees and timbers, as well as trees from private, non- historic clients, such as homeowners who have trees to which they have a sentimental connection", according to its website. "HWA offers a historically significant, revenue- producing alternative to the owners of historic trees.  Instead of underutilizing or discarding these limited, valuable resources at a landfill, we are committed to preserving not only history, but the integrity of the environment"

The group has repurposed timbers at a number of regional historic properties, including Kenmore and Ferry Farm. 

In addition to items of fine art, the timbers from the 1854 crib dam are also being re-crafted into sought after pens. After being underwater for 150 years, the oak beams take on distinctive colors which pen collectors seem to drool over. Back in March, Wood Turner of America member Jon Lanier used a piece of the old dam to craft a pen for a friend who was being deployed overseas. A Rappahannock Crib Dam pen goes for about $50, but hobbists could buy "pen blanks" from HWA for about $10 as recently as 2007. 

You can also buy crib dam wood from the Friends of the Rappahannock. Raw timbers are $8 per board foot, oak planks are $10 per board foot.