The Rotary Centennial Pavilion, the tangible result of years of lobbying by Rotarian Mark Wulf, is a complex timber roof structure
with almost entirely compound joinery. Mark proved himself adept at corralling local support for this event, as evidenced by the
number of names that are on the sign at the site. The Timber Framing Guild laid out, cut and assembled a large free-span roof as
guests of the Rotary Club in Salem. Timber framers with expertise in scribing and square rule timber framing were recruited from the
United States and the United Kingdom, making this an impressive international effort. This highly visible public structure is located
downtown on the newly reclaimed waterfront. The pavilion is 42’ from pier to pier, making it an impressive structure. The roof was raised
via cranes onto the existing masonry piers.This structure depends upon four masonry columns to resolve outward forces, making it
possible to create an airy and open roof system without major tie beams from corner to corner. This evokes the earliest uses of heavy
timber construction in the great cathedrals of Europe, with their masonry walls supporting and resolving the thrust of lofty roof systems.
