re: Reclaimed lumber

Before I got into woodworking, unfortunately for me, my dad tore down the oldest barn on the farm, which was blown off the foundation after it was no longer packed with hay every year. He made a deal with the local Mennonites to tear it down in exchange for taking what they wanted. Well, I guess he didn’t negotiate very well because they took only the largest beans and columns and left a big mess instead of hauling everything away. Even the trash they left behind would have been valuable by today’s standards. I wish I could have got my hands on some of that trash. 150 years worth of hauling hay and climbing all over left most every surface in a short of worn, polished state. Something to behold. I have no idea what kind of lumber it was but being in upstate NY, it was probably hardwood and likely oak and maple.