Photos by Emma Winegarner
The Michigan Barn Preservation Network held a mortar restoration and foundation repair workshop on May 6, 2006. The workshop, held at the Foti barn, was lead by Steve Stier and Rob Foti. The day long workshop included instruction as well as hands-on experience of mortar mixing and foundation repair. Just after lunch, the group left the Foti barn for the Florence B. Dearing museum to assess the museum's fieldstone foundation. At the museum, a sample of the old mortar was obtained. Upon our return to the Foti barn, we learned how to analayze a mortar sample to learn the color of the sand used. This knowledge makes it possible to match the motar for repair work. The rest of the day was spent repointing the fieldstone foundation on the Foti barn.
Members from the Hartland Area Historical Society in attendance were Barbara Krueger, Margaret and Randy Melville, and Emma and Harold Winegarner.