Timber frame retail store with a matching outdoor pavillion for customers to enjoy a picnic

Foxhill Cheese House, Port Williams, Nova Scotia – Winter 2003

It was early fall and I was working in the shop as usual.  Local dairy farmer Richard Rand came over and introduced himself to me.  He told me of a long time dream of making cheese at his farm.  The Rands were building a large structure, and in the retail section where customers would be able to view the cheese-making through a window, they wanted timber framing.

A short two weeks later, we finalized the drawings for the 12’ x 20’ store.   The general contractor and his helper were there on raising day to lend a hand.  The best moment during the raising was watching Levy LeBlanc, Richard Rand’s father-in-law drive some pegs.  Levy is a veteran woodworker from the Margaree, Cape Breton Island.

A couple of years went by and Richard paid us another visit.  His business had taken off and he wanted to create an outdoor pavillion where clients could sit down and enjoy their cheese or to have lunch.  By then, Foxhill Cheese House was getting bus tours, so they needed a good sized patio.  Through sketches and discussions, we came up with a fun structure.

The pavillion featured flared-out rafter tails, 80 feet of railings with barn swallows throughout, built-in benches in each corner, walk-through arbours with Dutch tenons, gunstock posts and a double ridge.

This gem sees a great deal of use.