Hand-Split Lath From 1866

The earliest lath was hand-split with a hatchet, resulting in an irregular board that expanded like an accordion. Wet plaster pressed against the lath would ooze between the splits before hardening, forming a permanent “key,” or attachment. After the use of circular saws became widespread around 1830, split lath was still used in rural areas, but elsewhere the fastest, cheapest way of producing lath became sawing boards into thin, regular strips. Only a few eastern walls of the original structure of the Inn have hand-split lath and it was attached with small square tipped, hand-forged nails.

$10,632.25

The current estimated national value of each volunteer donated hour is $29.95 and volunteers have donated 276 hours to our Sleeping Bear Inn project. Thank you volunteers, your donated time is impactful! If you plan to join us on the worksite, please let me know by emailing me at info@sleepingbearinn.org