<<the Building Inspector was horrified and
made us "fix" it.  I guess building inspectors don't get into many old houses in their territory.>>

My preservation teacher at Penn State tells the tale about an 18th c. farmhouse he was helping to restore. The local building inspector wanted them to take out the 2' x 2'wood lintel over the fireplace-- apparently he considered it a fire hazard. Dick eventually showed the guy pictures of other burned-out farmhouses, where the large timbers had survived scorching flames. He eventually had the guy purposely try and set the lintel on fire.

The lintel stayed.

-Heidi

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