Posted by Gerald Reinink, Design & Sales, HD Threshing Floor Furniture

After following the very compelling building process (through Instagram) for over a year, I decided to travel to Kentucky to attend the Ark Encounter’s Â July 7 opening. This engineering marvel uses massive beams, heavy duty construction, large amounts of wood, and simple design – not unlike our furnitureÂ philosophy here at HD.

The large structural beams – an integral component of the frame – particularity caught my eye. You simply don’t see trees of such size in modern times. For decades forests have been designed only for ideal harvesting conditions.

TheÂ Ark peopleÂ couldn’t just cut the trees down. Given their rarity they had to be dying anyway before they could be harvested. To see so many rare beams in a single massive ship was amazing. Walking through the place reminded me of the raw, virgin-growth resources the original pioneers in Canada were lucky to work with (although given the hard work they may not have appreciated it at the time haha). Large trees with tight grain would have been commonplace to the first settlers of North America. This type of old grain wood doesn’t exist any more (except in old barns), since no one is going to wait 150+ years to harvest their bush.

Another element that could be seen throughout the place was the “over-kill”Â construction of everything – from the railings, stairways, flooring – to the structure. The sturdy, no compromise approach made sense when I heard 100 Amish Craftsmen constructed the Ark. They share the same heritage with the Mennonites here in the St. Jacobs region of Ontario, and those in HD Threshing’s building shop.

I alsoÂ enjoyedÂ the opportunity to meet Ken Ham, the visionary behind the whole project. I would recommend anyone Â to check this place out; in my opinion it’s worth the drive from Ontario [about 7-8 hours]. It is very reminiscent of the wood, pioneer building philosophy and practices that were commonplace 100+ years ago here in Ontario!

Pictures don’t doÂ justice of the enormity; but I took many with my Iphone [see below!] to give you an idea.

For more info go to www.arkencounter.com

Copyright HD Threshing Floor Furniture / www.hdthreshing.com

Ark Encounter, Answers in Genesis, AIG, Gerald Reinink, Ken Ham, oldgrowth wood, reclaimed wood Ontario

Founder of HD Threshing Floor Furniture Gerald Reinink visiting the biggest timber frame in the world – Ark Encounter – in Williamstown, Kentucky. For more info go to www.arkencounter.com

Ark Encounter, Answers in Genesis, AIG, Gerald Reinink, Ken Ham, oldgrowth wood, reclaimed wood Ontario, Williamstown, Kentucky

Founder of HD Threshing Floor Furniture Gerald Reinink visiting the biggest timber frame in the world – Ark Encounter – in Williamstown, Kentucky. For more info go to www.arkencounter.com

Ark Encounter, Answers in Genesis, AIG, Gerald Reinink, Ken Ham, oldgrowth wood, reclaimed wood Ontariov

Founder of HD Threshing Floor Furniture Gerald Reinink visiting the biggest timber frame in the world – Ark Encounter – in Williamstown, Kentucky. For more info go to www.arkencounter.com