If you make it a point to observe some of the tin roofs in Bath County, you will note that there is a type with ridges, where sheets of tin have been crimped together. These tin roofs were installed by a master tinner. This tinner was a resident of Bath County, and his name was Will Hayden. He had his shop in the building that he owned on the corner of Oberlin and Water Streets. The red building still stands at that address.*
Many houses and businesses are still sheltered by the tin roofs installed by Mr. Hayden.
*The red building that Mr. Burl refers to is no longer standing, as it was destroyed by fire several years ago. However, Mr. Hayden’s roofs are still visible all over town. Don and I took a drive on a Sunday not too long ago, and he showed me several examples of this skilled tinner’s work. You can differentiate between newer metal roofs and those installed by Mr. Hayden by looking for staggered, horizontal overlaps. Some of the houses in town are completely covered by his metal roofs, while others just have the original porch overhang. The overhang on Mr. Delbert Anderson’s home is an example of Mr. Hayden’s fine craftsmanship. Once you know what to look for, the roofs become easy to spot.
I love these posts. It feels somehow magical to pull history into the present with simple things like roofs. Makes me want to visit Bath County – can't wait for the pictures. 🙂
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Thank you, Jessie. You come visit anytime!
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