If you are too far away, you can fly into any of the following airports: Asheville, NC, Knoxville and Chattanooga, TN, Greenville, SC, and Atlanta, GA. They are all within a 100-mile radius.

Goshen's office is in town, and our shop is on the outskirts. We have some frames in the area that we can arrange to show you, especially if we have time to make arrangements with their owners. Please call us to make an appointment so we can select the most convenient time and place to meet. We can give you specific directions at that time.

Goshen's Team

We would like to introduce ourselves, so that you'll know whom you're talking to when you call or visit.

Bonnie and David Pickartz are the owners/managers of Goshen.

Bonnie works with each new customer from first call to completion of the project, providing information, price estimates, contracts, scheduling and coordination. Each new customer is important to her, but she doesn't lose site of the the fact that the existing customers are special and is pleased to stay in touch and help them long after the frame is up and the home well on it's way to completion.

Bonnie and David Pickartz own and operate Goshen Timber Frames. They work hard to create an atmosphere that encourages the Goshen Team and clients to work together to create a home that not only will stand as a testament to craftsmanship and hard work, but will carry with it fond memories of designing and building the home. Bonnie helps each client to develop a plan that will be beautiful and functional. She believes that customer service is the ultimate key to a company's success and that each customer is the most important person in the world to Goshen. David keeps the shop running without ever being "bossy". He makes sure it all comes together in the shop and field.

Cathy Bryan joined our team in 2003. You will most likely hear her voice first when you call the office. She will be pleased to discuss our workshops and apprenticeships and to schedule both. Cathy is the person who keeps the rest of us on task ... not a simple job ... but one that she has under control.

Mark Westhoven is our lead designer. He has over thirty years of experience in designing custom homes and has been key in Goshen's growth since 1998. He is a talented designer who works diligently to create designs that are not only structurally sound but have character and beauty as well.

Bobby Johns was hired to work in the shop in 2002. He was an exceptional joiner, but in mid 2006 he transferred to the design team. He brought his knowledge of the joinery to life on paper. He works with the Dietrich's design program to help customers bring their designs into 3D. A pleasure to be around, the office is pleased to have snagged him from the shop.

Ryan Walker is a young man who joined us in January of 2000 after spending the previous summer in our apprenticeship program. His background is in construction and he is dedicated to the art of timber framing. He is a diligent worker and a skilled timber framer. We are pleased to have him with us.

Parrish Price, joined us in 2000. Having a background in rock work, he is more than equal to the heavy work of moving timbers. He learned quickly and has a knack for getting the job done . . . right! Parrish is our lead workshop instructor. He is an asset to our crew.

Joel Scott, another apprentice to join us in 2000, is a craftsman who also carves native flutes. His painstaking attention to detail makes him an exceptional joiner. He brings a calm and thoughtful approach to his work that is appreciated by all.

Don Pierce joined us in 2000 as well. He was a customer this time, rather than an apprentice. He moved his family to Western North Carolina, bought a Goshen frame and built a new timber frame home, retired from the military and commenced work with Goshen all within the year. He's still recovering!

Toby Pickartz worked part-time with Goshen while in college and now works in the office and shop full time. He is our jack-of-all-trades. He can use his talents as a joiner or work in the office, whatever is needed. He is equally comfortable with clients or a heavy timber, treating both with the respect they deserve and his flexibility helps keep us on target.

Justin Tarbell served an apprenticeship with Goshen and was asked to join our Goshen family. He is an asset to our crew and is always willing to go the extra mile. Justin feels there is no substitute for a hand crafted timber frame home. This idea propelled Justin, a Pennsylvania native, deep into the mountains of Western North Carolina to pursue the ancient art of mortise and tenon joinery. The beauty, quality and durability of a timber frame home are the characteristics of these buildings that inspire devotion to the work.

Ford Hall We are indeed fortunate to have him working on our team. Ford states, "As a young child I enjoyed playing in the woods, climbing trees and utilizing their fallen branches to build forts. After being limited by my supplies, I discovered saws, nails and dimensional lumber. Raising my forts from the ground into the treetops propelled the construction challenge and gave me the best views of anyone in town." He worked in the family's boatyard through high school and afterwards further advanced his woodworking skills and interest. This led to the discovery of timber framing, which captured his imagination.

Geoff McLean joined our team in May of 2006 and has a construction background. This background helps him understand the wood and the craft. He served as an apprentice and certainly adds to our diverse team. Geoff's gentle spirit and kind words bring a special touch to his work. He is a skilled joiner and a real asset to the Goshen Team.

Mark Lepetich After serving an apprenticeship, he made a commitment to timber framing and is the "new" kid on the block. His prior work background took him all over the world and he is glad now to be settled in. He is always ready to help and completes our Goshen team. Mark's desire to be a part of the timber frame industry shows in his work.

While visiting, you may also meet some of our apprentices. We usually have two or three dedicated apprentices at any given time. They come from all over the world to spend an average of three months with us to learn the trade. They are a diverse and interesting group and we enjoy having them here with us.

Lodging

There are a variety of options for lodging, since Franklin is a tourist town. Here are several. (You can also go to the Franklin Chamber of Commerce web site, www.franklin-chamber.com, or call them at (828) 524-3161.) Mention that you are visiting Goshen Timber Frames to get possible discounts at the following::

High Country Haven is located south of Franklin. They have tent and RV campsites and one- and two-bedroom furnished apartments, which include utilities and cable. Call Sharon at (828) 524-4783.

River Rock Cottages and River Houses, on the beautiful Cullasaja River not far from Goshen's shop. (828) 369-5343.

Oak Grove Cabins, located on the Little Tennessee River offers cabins and cottages. Call Belinda Childs at (828) 369-0166 or go online at www.oakgrovecabins.com.

The Franklin Terrace is a bed and breakfast just a short walk from downtown Franklin Call Helen Toll Free: (800) 633-2431 Office: (828) 524-7907 or visit their website at www.franklinterrace.com. The Franklin Terrace is open from April to October.

Forest Cove Motel is on 441S, the main drag coming into Franklin from Georgia. They also have cottages. Call (800) 522-6855 and ask for the special Goshen discount.

Great Smokey Mountain Fish Camp and Safari, on the Little Tennessee River, offers camping and lodge accommodations. 828-369-5295

Rivendell Cabin, located near the Holly Springs Community (64 E.) has various sizes of cabins available. Call Nina at (828) 349-6087 or (800) 994-6462 or go online at www.rivendellcabin.com.

Franklin Motel, located in the heart of downtown. at 17 West Palmer St. Call Toll Free: (800) 433-5507 Office: (828) 524-4431

Wayah Waters Cottages and Cabins, luxury cabins located on Wayah Creek and 10 minutes from downtown. Call Office: (828) 369-5000 Office: (828) 369-5431 or go online at www.inthesmokymountains.com/wwcc/.

Snow Hill Bed & Breakfast located north on Hwy 28 and on Snow Hill Road Office: (828) 369-2800 or (800) 598-8136 Buddy & Nancy Odom or visit the website at www.bbonline.com/nc/snowhill.

Angel Mountain Cabin located north on Hwy 28 and near the Little Tennessee River Office: (828) 349-4512 Joe Uebelher or visit the website at www.angelmountaincabin.com.