A Cape Cod Legacy Barn Restored

Tucked beside an original 1795 Cape built by Abraham Baker, a watch, jewelry, eyeglasses and clock dealer whose craftsmanship extended beyond his trade, stands a barn with roots tracing back to the early 1800s, also built by Baker. Fast forward to today, the barn has been thoughtfully restored and reimagined by Lewis Bay Builders, who approached the project with reverence for the barn’s historic origins.

“When we first approached the project, we treated it much like it would have been built over 150 years ago,” shares Ed Stafford, Owner of Lewis Bay Builders. “Our focus was on creating a strong, reliable, and functional structure that could stand up to Cape Cod’s harsh weather while remaining financially smart.”

The restoration began by carefully disassembling the lower portion of the barn to assess the condition of its foundation and floor system. Rather than demolish and rebuild, the team used traditional building techniques to restructure and stabilize the frame. Temporary bracing and supports allowed them to isolate and rebuild load-bearing sections in stages, eventually establishing a proper foundation and floor system capable of supporting the structure for another century and a half.

“By respecting the original craftsmanship and taking a methodical approach, we were able to preserve the barn’s integrity while ensuring it’s ready for modern use.” Stafford explains.

From the beginning, the builders and homeowners shared a clear intention to preserve as much of the historic fabric as possible, and the homeowners were deeply involved in shaping the vision for their restored barn. “We look at every client as a partner and part of the team,” says Stafford. “They collaboratively built their dream with us, and there’s not an area in the entire barn that they didn’t intentionally choose.”

Each post, beam, and wall panel inside the barn has its own story to tell, and, remarkably, every piece was salvaged and repurposed from the original structure.  

“We carefully removed all of the original wall paneling, beams, and other historical elements, then built simple storage and drying racks out of 2x4s,” says Stafford. “Once the structural work was complete, we brought the reclaimed materials back inside and let them acclimate before thoughtfully deciding how each piece would be used.”

What stands is a charming living space layered with authenticity, brimming with reclaimed details such as wood lining accent walls and ceiling beams. A custom bar, crafted completely out of barn materials, offers a tangible reminder of the barn’s history.

“We didn’t overcomplicate the installation,” Stafford adds. “We used each piece where it naturally belonged, installing everything with intention and attention to detail. That simplicity and respect for the material is what gives the space its authentic feel.”

While the structural overhaul was extensive, complete with new foundation footings, beams, and posts, the process required thoughtfulness more than technical complexity. “We work on a lot of historic homes that require similar restructuring,” Stafford notes. “The toughest part was determining what to keep versus what to replace. In the end, we prioritized safety, strength, and functionality first, while putting tremendous effort into maintaining the existing structural members.” 

The barn now stands gracefully restored in its original form while offering the comfort, safety, and stability expected in a modern build. For Lewis Bay Builders, the most meaningful aspect of the project was the opportunity to rebuild a piece of history originally crafted by skilled, dedicated hands.

“It’s a privilege to work on homes and barns that carry such deep historic roots,” Stafford shares. “This barn reminded us how timeless quality craftsmanship really is, and allowed us to bridge Abraham Baker’s original story with the new chapter written by the current homeowners.”

Photography: Keith Shaffer