Oak, fire and sweat — A glimpse into the art of barrel making at Gainesville Cooperage - Gainesville Times

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Oak, fire and sweat — A glimpse into the art of barrel making at Gainesville Cooperage

A barrel is charred Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020, at Gainesville Cooperage. The business is located inside the old Georgia Chair factory. - photo by Scott Rogers

09192020 COOPERAGE 1.jpg — A barrel is charred Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020, at Gainesville Cooperage. The business is located inside the old Georgia Chair factory. - photo by Scott Rogers

At 6 a.m. each day, Lee Arnold and his 18-year-old son, Tucker, work with wood, fire and machines to keep alive a centuries-old practice — making barrels from oak.