卡伯特镇的福斯特廊桥，美国佛蒙特州 Foster Covered Bridge in Cabot, Vermont (© Alan Majchrowicz/Getty Images)

卡伯特镇的福斯特廊桥，美国佛蒙特州 Foster Covered Bridge in Cabot, Vermont (© Alan Majchrowicz/Getty Images)

一场现代化的重建 A modern recreation

The A.M. Foster covered bridge in Cabot, Vermont

At one point in history, the United States had upwards of 14,000 wooden covered bridges. Most of them were built between 1825 and 1875 to cross a stream or river and were intended to withstand the elements. An uncovered wooden bridge may have a lifespan of only about 20 years while a covered bridge could stand for more than a 100. Even still, they don't fare well without upkeep and restoration costs can be high. Iron replaced wood as the preferred and cheaper bridge-building material in the mid-1800s. These days, fewer than 900 of the original wooden covered bridges are believed to still be standing. Vermont currently has 104 of them, the highest density of remaining covered bridges in the country. The Alonzo Merrill Foster covered bridge seen in today's photo can be found in Cabot, Vermont.

The A.M. Foster bridge, named after the inventor of a type of maple spout, is located on Spaulding Farm. Don't be deceived, the Foster bridge is actually a 1990s replica of a 'farm bridge' that was built in 1890 known as the Orton Bridge. Despite being a replica, the Foster bridge was authentically constructed by hand, in collaboration with Foster's great-grandson, with spruce lumber and salvaged granite. Spanning 45 feet across a man-made pond and literally bridging the gap between two farms, it took less than 6 weeks to complete. Unfortunately, it was found to be too narrow for modern farm equipment, a miscalculation that its constructors found amusing. Still, it works well as a photo opportunity and frequent venue for weddings.

佛蒙特州卡博特的福斯特廊桥

在历史上的某个时期，美国有超过14000座木桥。这些建筑大多建于1825年至1875年之间，用于跨越溪流或河流，旨在抵御恶劣天气。一座无遮盖的木桥可能只有大约20年的寿命，而一座有遮盖的桥可以支撑100多年。即使如此，如果没有维护，它们也不会很好，修复成本可能很高。19世纪中叶，铁取代木材成为首选且更便宜的桥梁建筑材料。这些天来，据信只有不到900座原始的木制覆盖桥梁仍然屹立着。佛蒙特州目前有104座桥，是该国剩余有盖桥梁密度最高的一座。今天照片中的阿隆佐-梅里尔-福斯特（Alonzo Merrill Foster）桥位于佛蒙特州的卡伯特（Cabot）。

A.M.Foster桥位于斯波尔丁农场，以一种枫树喷口的发明者命名。别被骗了，福斯特桥实际上是一座建于1890年的“农场桥”的90年代复制品，被称为奥尔顿桥。尽管是一座复制品，但福斯特桥确实是与福斯特的曾孙合作，用云杉木材和回收的花岗岩手工建造的。它横跨一个45英尺长的人工池塘，实际上弥补了两个农场之间的差距，不到6周就完成了。不幸的是，对于现代农业设备来说，它太窄了，这是一个让建造者感到有趣的错误计算。尽管如此，作为一个拍照机会和频繁举行婚礼的场所，它仍然很管用。