Community Building Project: Thresheree Carousel (Wisconsin)
Join us in June in Symco, Wisconsin, to support the Union Threshermen's Club this June at a Community Building Project.
The project will take place June 13 - 22 at the Thresheree grounds, and we look forward to having workshops prior to the build, so stay tuned for information and registration.
Background
Our host for this Community Building Project is the Union Threshermen's Club (UTC), based in Symco. The Union Threshermen's Club is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the agricultural and homesteading heritage of Wisconsin and celebrating the technologies of yesteryear. Each July, the Union Threshermen's Club hosts a heritage event featuring antique equipment in action, daily demonstrations, and a weekend of community, craftsmanship, and connection.
The UTC is building a new pavilion at its fairgrounds site (E6361 WI-22, Manawa, WI 54949) that will house the organization's restored vintage carousel. This carousel pavilion will be a feature on the grounds for future events, and their annual three-day Thresheree will be held this year from July 24-26.
The new pavilion design has been developed by local heroes and Guild members Joe Gruentzel and Brian Zabel, using the services of Joe Miller and Moyer Fountain.
About the Project
The structure is twelve-sided (dodecagon), with a clear span of 53' at the posts, and with a porch on one side for the ticket booth. The roof has a twelve-sided lantern, and both roofs have a 5:12 pitch. The main roof is supported by concentric rings of purlins. Timbers are rough sawn in a mix of oak and pine and will be supplied by local hero Brian Zabel of Zabel's Sawmill.
The design of the frame provides opportunities for learning in areas such as square rule layout, compound roof joinery for hips and purlins, and gang cutting of suitable pieces. There will also be learning components for how to efficiently raise a clear span structure.
For this project, we will cut the frame at the building site, which is a beautiful rural fairground setting beside a river, with camping and all amenities on hand. Accommodations will be camping with showers and washrooms provided. Meals for participants will be provided by our host, and you can expect hearty home-cooked or catered meals, plus snacks and endless tea or coffee.
There will be evening educational presentations on a range of timber framing topics, and possibly some local sightseeing and exploration.
There will be pre-build workshops for specific training courses running prior to the main build. These courses have a participation fee and will be launched separately - stay tuned!
The event runs from Saturday, June 13, to Sunday, June 21, inclusive.
Call for Participants
Instructors
The Guild seeks one project manager and four instructors to lead the project. One instructor position will be the lead instructor. All positions are well-compensated.
Please note that instructors must have commercial general liability insurance.
Applications for all positions will be accepted via the instructor application form HERE. Please submit your resume and any inquiries to Community Building Projects Program Director Steve Lawrence and Communications Director Allison Aurand.
Position Requirements & Descriptions
Instructor applications are closed. Email projects@tfguild.org with any questions,
Volunteers
We have positions for 35 volunteers for the Union Thresheree Community Building Project. These positions are not compensated, but you can expect the traditional TFG XC (exuberant camaraderie) and a very rich and rewarding experience. Guild instructors are there to support you in your learning objectives.
Participants will perform hands-on timber frame layout, cutting and raising under the direction of the instructor team. This project will be suitable for those with reasonable levels of fitness and basic hand/power tool skills. There will be limited novice positions available, and we need to ensure a balance of skills in the team.
You must be a Guild member to participate! If that presents a challenge for you, please talk to us. We can work something out, and want to help you join in the fun.
Please note that volunteer applications do not guarantee acceptance. We may have more applications than positions, so please do not make travel arrangements until you've received notification of acceptance. Please message us if you have not heard and need to know for planning.
It will be possible to bring family with you, and with appropriate safety management for non-participants, we expect to be able to accommodate family groups for camping. Food service will be available for family members at a reasonable cost. Please indicate on your application submission if any family members are joining you and wish to join us for meals. This project is not suitable for dogs, so please leave your pets at home.
We will endeavor to confirm your acceptance as soon as possible, and hopefully well before the deadline for applications. If you have questions, please contact Community Building Projects Program Director Steve Lawrence and Communications Director Allison Aurand.
The deadline for applications is closed
Thank You To Our Visionary Partners
