Early spring 2012 has been spent in large part cataloging new agricultural landscape still images from this past year as well as those from recent European trips - including Florence. The image galleries will be updated with these additions late April 2012.
Pre-production and preliminary shooting has begun for a feature length documentary film on the hallenhauis or "three aisled" barn commonly called the Dutch barn in the Eastern U.S.. The film will tell the stories of the agricultural life of various Northern European immigrant cultures as they made a new home for themselves in what was originally called New Netherland. Some of the most magnificent examples of these Dutch barns from New York and New Jersey will be featured, as well some of the rare existing farm houses.
The summer of 2011 was spent editing, producing animation, and shooting additional footage for the short film "Building The Dutch Barn". The film will be used to prepare educators in New York State whose classes will be involved in raising a quarter-scale Dutch barn model. The 20 minute film briefly covers timberframe building practice, the historical background of the Dutch barn in America, it's very unique characteristics, and finally shows a very excited fifth grade class from Albany School of Humanities put up the barn model.