“The American chestnut may well be the greatest and most useful forest tree to ever grow on this Earth.”

―Akiva Silver

Rare Bird Reclaimed: Restoring History, Reviving Connection

Rare Bird Farm, nestled in Spring Creek, NC, was purchased in 2019 with a vision: to breathe life back into an abandoned Appalachian farm. Left untouched for over seven years, the property had fallen into disrepair, with many buildings on the verge of collapse. Over the past five years, through dedication and care, we’ve transformed it into a vibrant, thriving space—though there is still much to be done.

Central to this restoration is our work with the iconic American chestnut tree. Once a keystone species of the Appalachian Mountains, the American chestnut was nearly wiped out by blight, and its remaining structures are rapidly disappearing. Through Rare Bird Reclaimed, we are preserving and repurposing these rare chestnut structures, turning them into functional, beautiful symbols of Appalachian heritage and resilience.

Our efforts are about more than just buildings; they’re about honoring the land, the history, and the interconnectedness of people and place. By restoring Rare Bird Farm as a living 19th-century Appalachian homestead, we are bridging the past and present—creating a space that nurtures community, sustainability, and connection to the natural world.

Below, you can explore the history of the American chestnut tree, the work we’ve done to preserve its legacy, and the restorative projects that support both the farm and our broader mission. Together, we are reclaiming not just a farm, but a deeper relationship with our shared history and environment.

The American Chestnut Tree: A Legacy Worth Saving

Once towering over the Appalachian forests and known as the "Redwood of the East," the American chestnut tree was a symbol of strength and resilience. Growing up to 100 feet tall, it was a cornerstone of the ecosystem and a lifeline for Appalachian communities, providing food, shelter, and lumber for furniture, homes, and barns.

Tragically, in the early 20th century, a fungal blight introduced from imported trees wiped out an estimated 4 billion American chestnuts, driving the species to functional extinction. While many trees still sprout from healthy roots, they rarely reach maturity, succumbing in their teenage years. Efforts to restore this iconic species through hybridization and genetic science continue, fueled by hope and determination.

Photographs of these majestic trees are rare, often dating back to the time when they were harvested during the early days of the blight. However, scattered across the Appalachian Mountains are structures built from chestnut in the late 1800s and early 1900s—barns, homes, and outbuildings that stand as silent witnesses to this lost giant. Sadly, without preservation efforts like those of the Appalachian Barn Alliance, many of these structures are being reclaimed by the earth or discarded in landfills.

At Rare Bird, we are committed to finding these remnants of history and giving them new life. By salvaging wood from these fallen and abandoned structures, we transform it into beautiful, functional crates for books and records. Each crate tells a story, preserving the legacy of the American chestnut and honoring its profound impact on Appalachian heritage. Together, we can ensure that the spirit of the chestnut continues to inspire for generations to come.

Reclaimed American Chestnut Album & Book Crates

We love old things. We love books. We love vinyl. Sure, Spotify has its place in today’s world, but there’s nothing like the touch and feel of real objects—art that inspires through its presence and history.

Our Rare Bird Reclaimed crates are crafted from American chestnut wood salvaged from fallen and abandoned barns and outbuildings scattered across the Appalachian Mountains, dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These structures tell an important story of our past, yet restoring them is a costly and challenging process. Without efforts like ours, they will eventually disappear, just as the American chestnut itself has nearly vanished from the landscape.

By turning this reclaimed wood into beautiful, functional objects instead of letting it go to waste, we honor the legacy of the chestnut and the rich history it represents. Each crate is hand-built in our restored chestnut barn by craftsman and Rare Bird partner Benjamin Gibbins, blending tradition, artistry, and sustainability.

These crates aren’t just for holding books or albums—they’re a tangible connection to Appalachian heritage, a piece of history you can hold in your hands.

Supporting the Restorative Work at Rare Bird Farm

Since purchasing Rare Bird Farm in 2019, we’ve been on a mission to restore the buildings and land we inherited, breathing new life into this historic Appalachian homestead. Each structure tells a story, and we are committed to preserving these pieces of history for generations to come.

Our restoration process is carefully phased, beginning with stabilizing and reviving the farm’s antique buildings. One of our greatest assets in this effort is the restoration of an antique sawmill, which allows us to mill salvaged wood—including American chestnut—right here on the farm. This tool is essential in ensuring that our chestnut structures, rich in Appalachian history, will stand strong for another century.

The journey doesn’t end with preserving these iconic buildings. The funds raised from selling our handcrafted book and album crates—made from reclaimed American chestnut wood—go directly back into supporting other vital projects at the farm. These include additional building restorations, land conservation efforts, and regenerative farming programs that reflect our commitment to sustainability and community.

By supporting Rare Bird Farm, you’re not just investing in the preservation of history; you’re contributing to a vision that values connection, resilience, and stewardship of the land. Join us in ensuring that these structures and the stories they hold remain vibrant, inspiring future generations to honor and care for the world we share.