Dendrochronology: The Stories Inside the Wood, with expert Michael Cuba

Information

Durand-Hedden visitors frequently ask, “How old is the Durand-Hedden House?” It is not a question with an easy answer but now, after conducting a deep analysis of the oldest timbers, we may have more accurate answers. We will share these findings with you on Sunday, April 6, in a presentation by dendrochronologist Michael Cuba.

Michael will discuss what he and his associate Dan Miles learned as a result of this research, and will explore the science of dendrochronology (tree-ring dating) and its applied use for dating and interpreting historic structures. He’ll present several case studies featuring local examples of structures he and Dan have dated, along with some prominent projects from overseas, and will show why this documentation is so important in preservation work.

Since 2015, Michael has served in various leadership roles with the Timber Framers Guild. He and Adam Miller took over as editors of Timber Framing magazine in 2018. In addition to working with the Guild, Michael serves on the National Barn Alliance, Historic Barn and Farm Foundation of Pennsylvania, Handshouse Studio, and several local historical societies and municipal historic advisory review boards.

On April 6, visitors will also have an opportunity to view artwork by the Columbia High School (CHS) Accomplishing Artists, an art collective founded CHS students in 2023 to provide opportunities for students to create, display, and market student art. Funding comes from selling students’ works at craft fairs and art events, and goes to the artists themselves, as well as student field trips and art materials. This is the second year that Accomplishing Artists will display their works at the Durand-Hedden Carriage House. Live music from two Columbia High School music ensembles, the Augmented Four and the Jackson Pellegrino Quartet, will be on-site to entertain and delight visitors.

Michael’s talk begins at 1:15. The art exhibit is open from 1:00 to 4:00 pm.

Funding for Dendrochronology has been made possible in part by the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of State, through funds administered by the Essex County Division of Cultural & Historic Affairs.

Pre-registration is requested at DurandHedden.org.