1854 Covered Bridge - Sheffield, MA
Posted by: 
neoc1
N 42° 07.430 W 073° 21.287
18T E 635990 N 4664835
The 1854 Covered Bridge spans the Housatonic River in central Sheffield, MA
Waymark Code: WMH9B2
Location: Massachusetts, United States
Date Posted: 06/10/2013
Views: 6
An information kiosk gives the vital information about the history and restoration of the 1854 Covered Bridge.
Excerpts follow:
"THE OLDEST COVERED BRIDGE IN MASSACHUSETTS was ordered to be built in 1854...
The covered bridge was built on the left bank of the Housatonic river and rolled out and anchored to position over the water on the abutments... It used a structural lattice truss of crossed members. The lattice boards wee pinned to place with wooden pegs or "trunnels"...
One hundred years after the bridge was built some timbers and framework were replaced and completely new siding was placed on the north side. In 1967 the capacity was limited to three tons, and in 1974 the bridge was closed to all vehicular traffic.
Extensive authentic restoration was carried out in 1981 by Milton Grafton of Ashland N.H., known as the dean of covered bridge builders.
He was assisted by his son Arnold and his grandson Arnold, Jr. as well as Sheffield residents who appreciated the painstaking construction methods of the old-time craftsman. This reconstruction is engineered by David Fischetti.
In the early morning of August 13, 1994, the venerable bridge was burned to the ground!
Some materials salvaged from the earlier structures will be used for continuity in the reconstruction of this valued landmark."