Within 3 Weeks,
Of Holson Home
Fire, Volunteers
Had Built Barn
BY AMY ROSE
STAFF WRITER
Finishing touches are being made to a temporary replacement for the historic horse barn that burned in December at Holston United Methodist Home for Children.
The pole barn is providing shelter for Holston Home's six horses until a new permanent barn can be built, according to Art Masker, president and CEO.
The fire of undetermined origin was discovered in the early morning hours of Dec. 13. The cause did not appear to be suspicious, officials said.
The historic barn, built in 1904, originally was used as part of a dairy operation at Holston Home and was rebuilt in 2003.
Within three weeks of the fire, a temporary shelter for the horses was in place.
The new pole barn is 1,200 square-feet with a 400-square-foot "loafing shed" for the horses.
The structure was designed by Lorri Wright, Holston Home's director of Adventure Based Counseling, who also oversaw construction.
VOLUNTEERS HELP
Numerous volunteers helped with the project, including Lloyd "Shorty" Harmon, owner of Team Millwright Maintenance, who donated manpower, equipment and more than 100 hours of time.
Also helping were members of the United Methodist Men In Mission, a group of retirees from the Kingsport area.
Several employees and children at Holston Home also helped with the project.
The children took particular interest in helping with construction to ensure the safety of the horses on campus, according to Wright.
Holston Home plans to replace the historic barn. That project is in the early design stages.
