You might contact the National Carriage Association for some insight. Having contacted them previously for carriage related issues, I can say they have been very helpful. Sharon Matt Mayberry wrote: >Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site in Colorado Springs, Colorado owns a circa >1890's F.C. Austin sprinkler wagon. It was previously used by the City for >street maintenance. It is our desire to continue to use it as a part of our >living history program. To that end we wish to restore it. > >Our question is: What measures were taken to preserve a wagon like this in >the northern climes to insure the wooden staves would not split due to the >water in the barrel freezing? > >I know of no other way to keep a barrel water tight other than by keeping >water in it. The obvious solution would have been for them to have the >vehicle filled with water and stored indoors...etc. If it were kept >outdoors, then what? > >Any insights would be greatly appreciated. > >Posted by >Matt Mayberry for... >Andy Morris >Historic Site Manager >Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site in Colorado Springs, Colorado owns a circa >1890's F.C. Austin sprinkler wagon. It was previously used by the City for >street maintenance. It is our desire to continue to use it as a part of our >living history program. To that end we wish to restore it. > >Our question is: What measures were taken to preserve a wagon like this in >the northern climes to insure the wooden staves would not split due to the >water in the barrel freezing? > >I know of no other way to keep a barrel water tight other than by keeping >water in it. The obvious solution would have been for them to have the >vehicle filled with water and stored indoors...etc. If it were kept >outdoors, then what? > >Any insights would be greatly appreciated. > >Andy Morris >Historic Site Manager >RLR > >========================================================= >Important Subscriber Information: > >The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). > >If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes). > > > ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).