Wanted to comment that I'm feeling pretty certain that my Uncle used some of the wainscoting from the school (my house) to make the sides of the birdhouse. What do you think?

I think it is way cool and I bet the birds will be thrilled with their refurbished abode. Even more special because of the family history. I love stuff like that-makes it a treasure! Be sure to get it back up in February or before the birds start their scouting! Oh, and I'll be looking forward to a picture then, too!

cnyn427, thanks. I'm curious as to how the guys will get it back up there. Never thought about trying to complete it before nesting begins, but to the sparrows and starlings move-in day came be all summer long.

Most probably it was a martin house to begin with, but that takes alot of dedication to lure martins in and keep them - esp. with sparrows competing.

We have always thought a martin house would be wonderful, but I have never even seen one in our yard. Not a fan of starlings, though. I guess you are right-a lot of birds will come whenever. It will be so much fun for you when it is finished! How tall is the pole? I'll bet Ben is already working on a plan for mounting the house!

How is the pole? I would guess he had a 12 - 16' ladder out there. It's pretty high up, doesn't stop the coon from shimmying right up that pole to rob the nests tho. I found his muddy little hand/foot prints one morning this summer.

I was so disappointed I didn't get to watch them taking the house down, preoccupied on the computer; and by the time I looked they were gone. Took them all of a half hour. Wanted to take photos! Possibly, it came down in one piece or the majority of it did. Didn't get a chance to talk to them.

Maybe to some people it seems a waste of money, but I feel my Uncle would be happy I replaced it. One problem I notice is that the iron plate it sat on is rusted right where the house was bolted on to it. Could be that I'll have to replace that too, which will be tricky.

I love it when these old treasures are restored and get a second chance. It does look like it was a Martin House at one time.
We have a few Purple Martins around here although I've never seen one. I think some Martin houses have been erected on poles out in the mud flats near where we live.

Annette

I don't see how anyone could consider the project a waste of money. I think it is a lovely thing to do and just think how much nicer it will be than a new store-bought one! Great decision, Christine!

Be sure to post an "after" photo. I love to see things restored. Your uncle must have been a true craftsman to make/build something that lasted 60 yrs .

Schoolhouse, I was expecting a single-hole birdhouse and then scrolled to see your picture and realized it's a bird hotel! It is beautiful and it's so great that you have chosen to have it restored especially with the family history. It's never a waste of money to do something that means so much to your heart and soul.

Yesterday Ben called for me to come check on the progress of the birdhouse. My jaw hit the floor when I walked into his shop and saw how HUGE the house is! I couldn't believe it. He said it's even appx.1" shorter at the base then the original. I think he's done a super job, very well made. I wasn't sure about the second dormer on the one end because we had discussed that and agreed there originally had been only one. Well, he said he and his son-in-law thought about it some more and then were pretty sure they could see where a second dormer had been attached and fallen off years ago.
I guess I like it either way.

I was to decide whether I wanted a shingled roof or a metal roof. As soon as I saw it, I knew shingles was the answer - black shingles in fact like the original. Now I'm thinking of paint colors - white trimmed in green? or dark green trimmed in a russet red? The wood is sassafras, and it doesn't weigh a ton like you'd think. Has 32 nesting compartments.

It won't be ready until next month sometime as he has other jobs to get out, but I said that was ok by me. Besides, I won't be ready to put it up on the pole for awhile, so we've decided it will stay at his shop until then. I'll go ahead and pay him though. Also, I suggested that he "sign" the birdhouse by attaching a small brass plate with his name and the date at the very peak of the roof under the eaves. You really wouldn't see it that well from below, so I think it's a good idea, won't interfere with the design.

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Wanted to add that when the old house was taken down, it came down in pieces, it was in very bad shape; so Ben really couldn't restore the original, but reproduced the design very well. I was wishing that there was some piece no matter how small from the old one that I could incorporate into the new one, but I should have thought of that before.

how beautiful. My compliments to Ben. He is quite skillful

My thoughts about the old house, I was thinking that perhaps you could at least save the facade and recreate it as a bas relief wall art. Like framing at least the front entrance pieces. This way you could preserve something of your uncle's handiwork.

Wonderful result! I'm sure your Uncle would be very proud of you for doing this project. Please show us when it's in the garden.

I can't believe how beautiful the birdhouse is! You must be so thrilled. And inannas suggestion is a great one. What a awesome pics of work! I love it.

A double WOW from me, Ben's workmanship is outstanding, lucky you.

Annette

That is a work of art!

Will it be painted? I would want it to last forever.
Glenda

Oh how wonderful! You must be thrilled. I can't wait to see it installed.

Yes, it will be painted. See my above post - white/green trim or dark green with russet trim? Need some votes!

Holy cow! That is gorgeous!

When I think of the paint color I begin to think about looking up to the sky and seeing the birdhouse. You put it up on a fairly high pole right? So the sky will be the background? Or will it be trees? I wonder if one paint scheme would show up better than the other? It sounds silly, but I think of a bright blue sky, white sky, gray sky, or trees as background, etc...and then which color scheme would stand out or contrast more. What color is your house? Please don't laugh, but do birds prefer a particular color? All I can think of are the martin houses that are usually white.

The pole is waaaay up there, at least 14' or 16'. Just sky for a background now, and I don't know how birds feel about their nesting sites. Sparrows and starlings probably could care less! ha.

My house is white with a black standing seam roof. I'm leaning towards white with dark green trim myself; but if you look at the photo I posted of the old house on Nov. 13th, it almost looks like the siding of the house was a russet color with green trim. Then on other areas (which aren't in the pic) it looked like it may have been green with red trim.

You know my favorite color for outside is "Tinkertown Green",so I could trim it in that (w/white). Hmmmmm.

Would Ben like free room and board for a month in Texas?

Love it!
White with green trim

Another vote for white with green trim.

Annette

plantmaven - believe it or not, Ben said the roofing of the birdhouse could be delayed as he is taking a trip on Feb. 12 to Texas to see his great grandaughter get married! He told me the name of the city, but I forget; but I do remember he said it was "below Waco".

If I were a bird - I would LOVE to raise a family in this house! Absolutely wonderful!!!

I came across a photo from March of last year, it gives a better idea of the height of the pole and also what would be in the background.

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I meant May of last year.

The new birdhouse is beautiful!

What an outstanding job Ben did! Have fun deciding on colors!