The History of Bensonwood
The early years
Bensonwood's history begins with the history of building in New England. The durable, honestly crafted buildings framed in heavy timbers and held together by mortise-and-tenon joinery were the dominant form of construction in America until the late 1800s. But the craft of timberframing eventually died, due to new building methods, the westward expansion and the increasing need to build quickly.
In 1974, Tedd Benson observed these remarkable structures — many of which had stood for more than two centuries — and reasoned that the ancient craft of timberframing could be made viable again with modern tools and would yield great benefits in durability and beauty in contemporary homes.
He began by studying old barns and houses before building his first few timberframes, recreating the joinery he found in those historic spaces. Along the way, his work attracted dedicated woodworkers into the hill country of southwestern New Hampshire and Benson Woodworking Company was formed. Together, these coworkers and adventurers rediscovered the long-forgotten craft of framing buildings with heavy timbers, as they worked to meld centuries-old craft with the needs of contemporary buildings — insulation, plumbing, electricity, and communication systems.
Their efforts yielded a near endless series of innovative ideas that Tedd documented in his first book. As Bensonwood has grown, the relentless drive toward better building has continued. Today, while Bensonwood is still known for building exceedingly artful timberframes with the highest level of craftsmanship and quality, it is arguably the most innovative home builder in America.
Bensonwood has more than 75 people working toward the common goal of creating remarkable homes and other structures.