Camp Hearne Diary August 11, 2010

Am I excited. The barrack is looking so good. We still need to build the ramp to the back door and a few finishing touches inside. Then we go outside to mark the parking pad, gravel the drive-through, set a culvert for the parking pad and add new landscape.

Check out the inside. The front part is the original barrack as it was during 1942. I love the sliding windows. Matt and Jim built the custom windows. They slide horizontally just like the 1942 plans show.

The middle part of the barrack is the exhibit area. Cannot wait to move the display cases in and implement our new interpretive exhibit. The Texas Historical Foundation has just awarded us a $5000 grant to help us redo our exhibit in is new home.

The back part of the barrack is the visitor center. A small kitchen sink is provided with a point-of-use water heater. There is also a small unisex restroom.

The flooring is white pine, 1"x6" tongue-in-groove long boards finished with tung oil. The wood is soft, but it is what they used in the '40s and it does look great.

It is really exciting to see this come together.

Camp Hearne Diary - May 16, 2010

Cannot believe it has been a month since my last post. Lots of little things, but important things have happened. The framers had to reorder the back door that has now been hung. The plumber, electrician and HVAC contractors have done their rough-in's. Last week S&K Drywall insulated the modern area, hung the drywall and began the tape & floating process.

Of course, our old nemisis came back..... rain. It has been awfully dry through April and May and we certainly needed the rain. Our construction timing seems to be wait until we need dry weather before it rains, but the area farmers & ranchers needed the moisture. This will slow the drywall and painting down a bit, but we should be ready to move to the next step in a week or so.

Smart Services (Hearne) helped with our plumbing... Paul certainly helped when we needed him at a crucial time.

Key Electric (Franklin) has been great to work with on the project. Dana has gone to great lengths to get everything according to plan and find the right recessed cans for our LED lighting.

Barker Heating and Cooling (Hearne/BCS) was in and out quickly. Philip has responded to every question and need without hesitation.

S&K Contracting has been just as efficient. Too bad the weather has changed, but they should finish soon. Anxious to see the painted rooms.

All of these guys were low bidders and all expressed a desire to be part of this project. Their advice and professionalism have been greatly appreciated and it has been fun to see this come together. We may not have had the best construction timeline due to inexperience, but we have certainly had the best advice and effort from all of our contractors.

Camp Hearne Diary - April 2, 2010

A custom double door was ordered to match the style present in several historic photographs and the plans. This mahogony wood door had to be sealed and primed with an oil base primer as soon as possible. I know now why professional painters deserve their fees. My attempt at painting may be enough to protect the door, but certainly someone more skilled needs to fix my job.

Check out the front. The gable vent is a perfect match!

Camp Hearne Diary - March 30, 2010

I know it has been a few days since my last post.... just busy, no other excuse.
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The Crew has built the front porch as per historic plans and framed the window sill & sashes. They have may a great effort to be historically correct.