Who knew that the post from a barn built in 1860 would become a hand-crafted electric guitar in 2026?

Solebury recently received an electric guitar donated by facilities team member Tim Lohan as a gesture of appreciation for his years of service and a way to give back before Head of School Tom Wilschutz’s retirement.

Last September, Tim replaced one of the load-bearing posts that supported the Barn Complex. Most of the white oak post, crafted from a tree more than 300 years old, was still in good condition, but no longer needed. Though he did not have immediate plans for it, he saw an opportunity to transform it into something new.

“The tree it came from witnessed the emergence of our nation and stood watch as the American Revolution unfolded,” Tom Wilschutz said. “The Barn was built in 1860, and was present when the four founders purchased the Michener Farm and established Solebury School, and has witnessed every graduation since 1926.”

The Dedication

Early one morning, Tim gathered a few staff and faculty members, along with Tom, outside the Barn Complex for an official dedication and presentation. Standing beside the spot where the post once stood, Tim shared the story behind the project, his desire to do something for the school, and his idea of commissioning a guitar before unveiling the custom-built electric guitar.

“I brought the log to Parke (Oehme), who restores WWII equipment at the family business Oehme Brothers War Horse Garage,” Tim said. “As a side hobby, he likes to make guitars from scratch. I asked him to make a Les Paul Junior for the school. While this guitar is a collector’s item, it is being donated to the music department for students to play.”

Tim’s close friend Parke Oehme, who’s affiliated with the Reading Air Show and Mid-Atlantic Air Museum, donated his craftsmanship to the project in exchange for Tim’s help with his WW2 Seabee collection and museum projects.

The Guitar

Pieces of Solebury’s history are hidden within the guitar–traces of original paint from the Barn are visible on the guitar's face. It took Parke six months to build the guitar made from the white oak. He signed the headstock and inset a 1925 penny in the body. There is a special inscription commemorating its journey from structural support post to musical instrument.

"A Centennial Gift -
Wood From Solebury's 1860 Barn Post
Crafted By Parke Oehme
Commissioned by Tim Lohan"

“I know that music program budgets can be tight and some kids don’t have the money for guitars, so I thought this was the best way to use the post and donate an instrument to the school,” Tim said. “There was also enough of the post left that Parke started constructing a second guitar for Solebury.”

Cathy Block P’14, Music Department Head, was the first person on campus to play the guitar. 

“This is priceless,” Cathy said. “It was so unbelievably generous of Tim to do this for the school. I told the kids there might be something really cool in Studio A, but they have no idea what it is. The kids are gonna love this, they’re going to go crazy. I think it’s absolutely gorgeous.”

The electric guitar made its debut at the Celebrate Summer concert this spring. The second guitar is scheduled to be delivered this fall.

What began as a 300-year-old tree, part of Solebury’s history, now has a new purpose: inspiring future musicians and artists.