A view inside the round stone barn. A string attached to the vertical post at the left is used to determine the exact height of the small square windows.

Carpenter Les Dales, of Indian Head.

22 August 2009 - After 24 days, the Bell Barn reconstruction, by Gracom Masonry of Regina and Dales Construction of Indian Head, is progressing well, with almost half of the round stone wall rebuilt.

The Bell Barn has been a subject for photographers for over 125 years, and is again serving that role.

1 September 2009 - One of the four hay loft doorway rough bucks is installed on the stone wall. Two are located above the north and south doorways; and two in the centre of the east and west segments of the wall.

As the stones are placed level with the tops of the rough bucks for the hay loft doors, they reach the 14 foot height to which the entire stone wall will be built.

9 September 2009 - A stonemason installs metal pockets into the stone wall.

The view from inside the barn as the stonemasons set the metal joist pockets in place.

A series of bricks set into the wall will form the level base for the metal joist pockets.

Looking along the interior north section of the round stone wall, with the north door frame set in place.

A close-up view of the stone wall as construction nears the 14 foot level.

A view of the west section of the Bell Barn round stone wall reconstruction, showing two levels of work.

10 September 2009 - The arrows on the new sign, recognizing the financial contribution from the federal government, point directly up to the red thermometer.

Even in its partially constructed state, the Bell Barn can be the subject for some artistic photography, such as this view from inside the canary seed field west of the Barn.

A close-up view of the north door frame and of the north hay loft door frame.

A stonemason installs stone next to the rough bucks for the north door and north hay loft door.

A stonemason uses a level to set the stones at the exact 14 foot height next to the rough buck for the north hay loft door.

Setting the last stones at the 14 foot height requires exact placement and careful measurement.

11 September 2009 - Stonemasons install stones around the rough buck for one of the hay loft doors.

Determining the right consistency for the mortar is both a scientific formula and a judgment call by the stonemasons.