Although some people may see old barns or buildings as things to be discarded, 34-year-old Tyler Christman views them as an opportunity to “rediscover history” and write a new chapter for old wood.
“Even the most run-down buildings we work on are like time capsules, carrying memories of bygone days. It’s a memory of past lives – a way of life carved out by hard work, resilience, and determination,” he said. “We are rediscovering history because these barns give us a glimpse into life over two hundred years ago.”
Tyler operates the “Bald Eagle Barn Wood” company on a farm in Lecompton, Kansas, a business he co-founded with his father, Darin Christman, out of a serendipitous opportunity.
“My dad worked in the corporate world for over twenty years, but back in 2011, he was diagnosed with lymphoma,” Tyler said in an interview with The Epoch Times. “So, he quit his job to reduce stress and battle cancer.”
He mentioned that his father is now in remission and recovering well, but during his battle with cancer, he often struggled to sleep at night. It was on one such night that Darin decided to build a “man cave” in his garage.
On the online marketplace Craigslist, he found someone looking to tear down their old barn and sell the wood, thinking it would be the perfect material to renovate his man cave.
“After building his man cave (where we still watch football games and host poker nights), he started getting calls from people wanting barns torn down for reusing the wood,” Tyler said. This sparked the idea for Darin to salvage old wood from these barns, for projects like his man cave, with “the added factor being the history.”
After finishing college, Tyler and his father began dismantling old barns and envisioning new uses for the wood.
They now have a workshop with thousands of square feet of wood waiting to be given new life, selling it to contractors, builders, developers, businesses, and homeowners looking to construct something new.
Tyler particularly enjoys renovating a house using reclaimed wood throughout the structure, with ceilings displaying different tones and a natural vintage atmosphere. Another favorite project of his was a kitchen table they made together for his mother. The wood came from a farmhouse in Lecompton dating back to the 1880s, where the legs were crafted from hand-turned barn beams.
“This table is not only beautiful but carries a great history,” Tyler said. “The proximity of the source of the wood enhances our connection to the finished project.”
Tyler enjoys connecting with the history of the past. “These buildings are history, our history,” he said. “Once they are gone, they are gone forever. So, I like to see what we do as ‘rediscovering history,’ because while in many cases we may only be preserving a piece, we are also preserving the story, memories, and craftsmanship of each piece we salvage and every barn.”
Tyler added that reclaiming wood often helps barn owners agree to their demolition. Barns are often part of a family’s generational heritage, carrying many cherished memories, making it emotionally challenging for owners to let go.
“Being able to show building owners what the wood will become once we’re done with it, and the amazing projects that result from it, really helps them understand that the wood is not wasted; the barn’s materials will continue to exist for years, even if the barn itself is gone,” Tyler said. “It’s the best of making the most of what you have.”
Working with old wood made Tyler and his father realize the significant differences between past and present construction methods.
“One of the biggest differences between these old buildings and modern construction is the materials used. Back then, they only harvested the best trees,” Tyler explained. “They used ancient wood with hundreds of years of history, making it a higher quality material.”
“Today, people are focused on quantity rather than quality, just meeting higher demands as quickly as possible. Nowadays, there are more regulations about logging, making it even harder for them to obtain things used in those barns built in the days of yore.”
Born with cerebral palsy, Tyler has always had to do things in different ways but when he sets his mind to something, there is nothing he cannot accomplish.
His day starts around 5:30 to 6 a.m., managing the company’s social media. Around 8 a.m., he heads to the workshop, where their small team might go to barns needing dismantling. In the workshop, he mostly handles pulling nails and cleaning wood for sale. He may assist customers in selecting wood, and occasionally even sell a dozen eggs.
“People who come to our workshop or see the content I post on social media are often amazed at the amount of work I can accomplish, the heavy objects I can lift and manipulate while working, and my work ethic,” he said. “But for me, I don’t see how I am any different from anyone else.”
For Tyler, sitting in a wheelchair is not a limitation but an opportunity to figure out how to accomplish things that seem impossible.
“I lovingly refer to my chair as my ‘work truck’ because it is just another tool I use to get the job done.”
Reflecting on the journey with Bald Eagle Barn Wood, Tyler said, “I never imagined our small business would evolve into what it is today. It’s been nearly 15 years, and we’re still striving to realize a dream born out of challenging circumstances, and we persist.”
Speaking of the efforts he and his father put in to help old wood find new life, Tyler encourages others to seek and pursue their own dreams.
“If you have a dream, go chase it! Don’t let perceived limitations, even your own, hinder you from accomplishing what you want. We only have one shot in this life, so whatever hand you’re dealt, give it your all, stay positive, and you never know where life will take you!”
This information was adapted from the original article titled “Kansas Man Reclaims Wood From Old Barns, ‘Lucky to Have the Chance to Save These Pieces of History’ published on the English Epoch Times website.