News Summary
Three Forks Wood Reclamation, co-founded by veterans Christopher Kelley and Christian Knutzen, is reclaiming historical wood to preserve WWII history. Recently, they acquired wood from a barn in France, pivotal to D-Day. Their efforts honor the sacrifices made during the war while connecting the present to the past through the stories embedded in the wood. With plans for more international reclamation projects, the company’s mission aims to protect meaningful historical narratives for future generations.
St. Petersburg, Florida – Three Forks Wood Reclamation, a veteran-owned business co-founded by Christopher Kelley and Christian Knutzen, is making significant strides in preserving historical wood from sites tied to World War II. The company has recently acquired remarkable wood from a barn constructed in 1792 in Colombieres, near Omaha Beach, France, a site that holds great historical value linked to the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944.
The barn is notable for being the first home liberated in its town shortly after the D-Day invasion. It served as a rallying point for the 29th Infantry during their advance against German forces, making the wood reclaimed from this structure a tangible connection to a pivotal moment in history.
Kelley and Knutzen learned of the barn’s deteriorating state through a French veteran farmer who intended to burn the damaged timber. Recognizing the historical significance of the wood, they offered to reclaim it, preserving its legacy for future generations. The reclaimed wood has recently arrived in St. Petersburg after being transported across the Atlantic Ocean.
Kelley expressed amazement at the centuries of history encapsulated in the wooden beams salvaged from the barn. The layers of time the wood has witnessed present a profound storytelling opportunity, providing a physical link to the past.
In addition to the barn wood, Three Forks Wood Reclamation has been involved with another farmer who provided wood from Marmion Farm, the landing site for the “Band of Brothers” paratroopers on D-Day. This reclaimed wood is set to be delivered to the Currahee Military Museum located in Georgia, where it will serve to honor the bravery of those who fought during the war.
On the 81st anniversary of D-Day, the efforts of Three Forks Wood Reclamation were highlighted for their work in cataloging and preserving wood from significant historical sites. The barn in Ravenoville, France, which contains some of the reclaimed wood, was once an ordinary farm before it became part of the D-Day narrative. The beams extracted from the barn are particularly noteworthy, as they are large and not commonly found in modern construction, adding further value and significance to the reclamation process.
The co-founders, Kelley and Knutzen, combine their extensive military backgrounds into their business venture. Together, they have nearly six decades of military service, with Kelley having served as a Navy SEAL and Knutzen as an Army Green Beret. This shared experience informs their profound respect for history and their commitment to preserving the stories embedded in the wood they reclaim.
Looking forward, Three Forks Wood Reclamation has plans for additional trips, including potential excursions to Italy and Japan, to continue their mission of reclaiming historically significant wood based on incoming commissions. By focusing on the preservation of this timber, they aim to honor the legacy of the people and events linked to these materials.
The work being done by Kelley and Knutzen transcends mere reclamation; it serves as a way to honor and preserve the rich history associated with their reclaimed wood. Each piece tells a story that is an integral part of our shared past, reminding us of the sacrifices made during one of history’s most tumultuous times.
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Additional Resources
- St. Pete Catalyst
- Wikipedia: World War II
- Press Democrat
- Google Search: wood reclamation
- Central Maine
- Encyclopedia Britannica: wood salvage
- Oregon Live
- Google News: preservation of historic wood
