Travis McDonald at Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest has done a lot of work on lime kilns and slaking pits. I think they have even experimented with burning their own lime for the restoration they are completing. If you dont get the answers that you are seeking, you might send him an email and he could point you in a research direction I am sure.  

Neal Hitch
Ohio Historical Society 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Susan Houghton [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Wednesday, October 20, 2004 12:56 PM
> To:   [log in to unmask]
> Subject:      Limestone kilns, pit style
> 
> We have located limestone kilns, the second grouping found during the
> phased project.  I am picking up the research, and from the beginning we
> have had difficulty in finding information on pit style as opposed to
> formally constructed furnaces for the production of lime.
> No such formal kiln is known in the area.  We do have a bit of
> interesting documentation, a ledger stating 'Cash to Irishmen for build
> lime kiln'.
> Our features are simply lenses of burned and unburned limestone mixed
> with ash and charcoal flecks.  The lenses may have 2 distinct layers,
> one composed of larger rock and the other of finer gravels.
> I am wading through a great deal of information on the production of
> lime, and am searching for any information on short-term pit kilns.
> Thanks for your help,
> Susan
> 
> 
> Susan Houghton, RPA
> Laboratory Supervisor
> Cultural Resources
> Burns & McDonnell
> 9400 Ward Parkway
> Kansas City, Missouri  64114
> Tel: 816-333-9400 x2264
> Fax: 816-822-3515
> [log in to unmask]