I have now added the roof, drain pipes etc and the building is starting to take shape.
I am pleased that it is starting to look like the original.
Lots of tidying up, glazing, painting and a bit of weathering still to do.
In the meantime, Mr Miller had a large barn as indeed it seems everyone had.
I have been fortunate enough to purchase William Frassanito’s book Antietam, The photographic Legacy of America’s bloodiest day.
Mr F has researched Mr Gardeners original photographs at the Library of Congress which are of great interest as they show more than the usual copies that have been used in the past.
One of them is the only known picture, bottom right of the Miller barn in 1862.
Fantastic!
Google Earth shows the current barn on its foundations with the ramp to the main area and the underground section access at the side.
As I use a sand table excavating is no problem but the damp is potentially one as it will warp cardboard.
I have therefore constructed a base which can be buried in the right proportions out of balsa with caulk stonework.
The barn is thin balsa scored to create the strip effect of planking.
I have positioned reinforcing posts in the corners to provide ridigity.
I am not sure about the height of the edifice as the barn seems fairly low. However, there are plenty of large barns around the area and as it sits on the base I have lots of flexility as building a lower one is easy enough.
I will take a view upon completion.