The history of a Topping Off, or Topping Out, ceremony is rooted in Scandinavian history, material, climate, and religious practice. When a building was finished, a tree would be placed on top to placate the spirits of their ancestors who had resided in the trees used in the build. There was also a practical purpose. When the tree dried out, it signaled that the wood in the build was seasoned, too.
Others point to Scandinavians topping their structures with grain as feed for Odin's horse.
The tradition of honoring a new build wasn't isolated to the Scandinavian region, though. Similar traditions have been seen across the world, whether honoring the gifts of the build, signaling a material transition, or thanking the hands and humans at work. In some traditions, the builders would symbolically hold the structure hostage until their final pay was issued. In others, a beer was taken in exchange.
As the final blocks were laid and roof sheathing went on for our home at Eden Hill, we honored this tradition with coffee and bagels a quick blink from Christmas. We also invited the masons, the team at the Art of Building, and our architect, Christie Billeci, to sign their names on the blocks, and imbedded a 1787 Silver Dollar in the wall to bring prosperity.
There is so much more to do, but this is a big moment — and for that we are grateful.
