Local & Handmade Timber Frame Project at the Clair Nelson Center

As the pandemic recedes and makes way for new hope, our hearts will be warmed to see new life in the form of a long awaited equipment shed that reflects the values of our community. This May 21st we’ll be sending off an old friend of the Finland community and welcoming a new one. That old sinking ship that once housed our tennis, skateboarding, and hockey equipment will finally be let to founder for good into the seabed of our hearts as it makes way for this new tall masted replacement. This new creation will be a more fitting structure to adorn the scene at our bustling little community center and will allow our Youth Program, Farmers Market and tennis court users the space to grow into the future. 

The design and construction are happening at the old Finland school (#5) on the Heffelfinger Road as a weeklong workshop using white pine beams from Hedstrom’s Lumber in Grand Marais and will be taught by local timber framer/teachers Jenna Pollard and Andrew Norcross. Five students will spend the week handcrafting the structure with this raising on Saturday May 21st as the finale. We hope you can find some time to come out for the timber frame raising on the 21st and participate or just see some neighbors and chat. No experience necessary. Potluck lunch at high noon, all are welcome to attend.

This project is partly supported by a grant from the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation, but we also need to raise additional funds to complete the project. Donations can be made online at GiveMN.org or by mailing a check to Friends of Finland, PO Box 582, Finland, MN 55603. Be sure to make a note in the memo for this project. Donations for outdoor improvements of this kind are always appreciated.