|
Newfield Covered Bridge Notes The Newfield covered bridge is the last survivor of three covered bridges built in Tompkins County. This bridge spans the West Branch of the Cayuga Inlet, and crosses the same site of an old log bridge that was erected circa: 1812, when the hamlet was named Florence. The covered bridge was first planned in 1848, but was built between the years 1851-1853. Men worked all day long for $1.00 a day, and lumber cost $6.00 per one thousand board feet. The total cost of the Newfield covered bridge was $800.00. Stone masons; Benjamin Starr and Dick Russell laid the abutments for the bridge. The carpenters were Samuel Hamm, and his sons, David and Sylvester. Also helping with the construction was David Dassance and Patchen Parsons. The patented truss design of Ithiel Town was employed in the construction of the bridge. When the Newfield covered bridge was built, solid clapboard siding ran the entire length of the bridge. In later years, six diamond shaped windows were cut into each side of the bridge. The horizontal siding on the bridge is one of only two covered bridges that use this type of siding in New York State today. In the early 1970's, the covered bridge was in dire need of repair, and was very nearly removed in favor of a modern bridge. Master covered bridge builder and restorer, Milton Graton and Associates of Ashland, New Hampshire were contracted to restore the bridge and bring it back to its original glory. The price agreed upon was $44,000.00. The condition of the span was far from good. One truss was down 6", the other was down 8", and the top chord was buckled out 10". To prevent the top chords from buckling, four outriggers or buttresses were installed around 1947. What follows is a list of the cures that Mr. Graton and Associates implemented during the restoration of the covered bridge in 1972. 1. Create some camber-as original 2. Straighten top chord and repair 3. Repair bottom chord where rotted 4. Ream 2" trunnel holes to 2 1/8" and use 2 1/8" trunnels to eliminate elongated holes. 5. Raise cross ties from third chord to top chord 6. Create new roof trusses and lateral braces to allow 26" more clearance 7. Install a button system to hold down roof and secondary rafters to work with this system 8. Eliminate outriggers (buttresses) 9. Raise entire structure 1 foot for drainage 10. Install an interceptor for water in front of portal on high side 11. Install a pair of laminated arches with an end section of 12" x 32" 12. Shingle with 1/2" white cedar shingles 36" long 13. Replace old clapboards with 1"x 8" dry hemlock, laid as clapboards 14. Paint red as before After the restoration of the Newfield covered bridge was completed, a gala celebration was held on July 8, 1972. |