After traversing the shelf, we come to the Southeast timber post of the steeple. The four lower posts are quite large and are part of the original 1842 addition. The numerous holes are the result of an infestation of powder post beetles that were discovered and treated in the 1960s.  Each of these vertical timbers is the entire trunk of a large, mature white pine tree. These trees were likely seedlings before the founding of the town 203 years before. The floor at the next level and the inside wall around the arched window are much newer construction using plywood. The red steel beams were added in 1997 as part of a major restoration and preservation effort. We will continue to see this steelwork to the top.