Longwood Antique Woods has been in the business of reclaiming and recycling old wood for eighteen years and has supplied countless material solutions for floors, doors, bars, beams, furniture art, and much more.  The antique wood in our collections is salvaged from historic barns, warehouses, and cabins slated for destruction throughout the Bluegrass of Kentucky.   Our mission is to supply a green product with a unique history; whether it is from the barn of highly recognized War Admiral or rural farmer Papa Shepard. These products add to thearchitect’s “green” ratings and the end user’s sense of environmental responsibility, all within an historical context without harvesting a single tree.  The wood is meticulously saved by our team of craftsmen, restored and reused rather than being lost forever.

Longwood's Legacy

Longwood Antique Woods consists of a dedicated team of historical craftsmen motivated by the dual purpose of conserving environmental resources and preserving American architectural history.

The team at Longwood is committed to our role as caretakers of early American architecture. We meticulously disassemble buildings slated for destruction, and recycle the antique wood to produce our unique range of products and historic collections.  Each building’s past is researched with respect and appreciation for its historic and aesthetic importance.  The salvaged wood is then restored, rather than being lost forever.

Our knowledge of antique wood and historic structures, coupled with our understanding of the time and care required for restoration, ensure our quality work and craftsmanship. We at Longwood work only with the highest quality hardwood, and are as dedicated to its proper treatment as were the buildings’ original creators years ago.

History

Eighteen years ago, George Gatewood watched as bulldozers ripped through the 200-year-old Mount Sterling house where he grew up. "That broke my heart," he said. The home was torn down to make way for an industrial park. "It was such a waste."

Now Gatewood has found his own way to preserve history, one piece of wood at a time.

He scouts the countryside of Kentucky and surrounding states looking for dilapidated barns, farmhouses and warehouses destined for demolition. He buys the right to dismantle them, then sells the wood.

"It's neat how an old, 100-year-old piece of wood in some old, weathered barn that has sheltered cows and horses and has become an eyesore can come alive again once it's sanded and stained. It's one of the most beautiful things you'll ever see." - George Gatewood

(As reported by the Lexington-Herald Leader, June 2003)