Mark Bowe from Barnwood Builders: wiki, bio, wife Cindy, family, children, net worth, controversy.

Mark Bowe is a skilled craftsman, entrepreneur, and preservationist. He is best known as the host of Barnwood Builders, a long-running docu-series that airs on Magnolia Network (formerly DIY Network). The show documents Bowe and his crew as they travel across the United States to salvage and restore historic pioneer-era log cabins and barns. Their work focuses on preserving American architectural heritage through traditional building methods and sustainable reuse of materials. Since its premiere in 2013, Barnwood Builders has earned a dedicated viewership thanks to its authenticity, craftsmanship, and the camaraderie of its cast, led by Bowe.

In addition to his television work, Mark is the owner of Barnwood Living, a company that sells reclaimed wood products and custom-built cabins. He proudly calls himself a West Virginia hillbilly, is a devoted father and husband, and a generous philanthropist. His life philosophy centers around working hard, being kind, and taking pride in everything he does. In this article, we explore the life and career of Mark Bowe, the barnwood builder who is making history with his hands.

Wiki/Bio Facts

Fact	Description
Full name	Mark Bowe
Date of birth	March 5, 1970
Age	55
Place of birth	West Virginia, USA
Zodiac sign	Pisces
Nationality	American
Ethnicity	White
Gender	Male
Sexuality	Straight
Education	Bachelor’s in Business Administration; Master’s in Safety Management from WVU
Occupation	TV personality, craftsman, businessman, historian
Net worth	$2.5 million (estimated)
Marital status	Married
Wife	Cindy Lavender-Bowe
Children	One son, Atticus Bowe
Company name	Barnwood Living
Company website	barnwoodliving.com
Company slogan	Work hard. Be kind. Take pride.
TV show name	Barnwood Builders
TV show network	Magnolia Network (formerly DIY Network)
TV show genre	Reality, home improvement
TV show premiere date	November 1, 2013
TV show synopsis	Mark Bowe and his team salvage and restore old barns and cabins
Controversy	None

Early Life

Mark Bowe was born on March 5, 1970, in Glasgow, West Virginia, a close-knit Appalachian town where values like hard work and community are deeply rooted. Growing up in Glasgow shaped Mark’s identity and work ethic. He attended local schools and developed a love for basketball in his youth, a passion captured in a throwback photo showing him on the court in his athletic prime.

In November 2022, the town of Glasgow honored him with a welcome sign that recognizes it as his birthplace—a gesture that reflects the deep mutual pride between Bowe and his hometown. He has credited Glasgow and its people for instilling the life lessons and values that continue to guide him today, stating, “Without this town and its people, I wouldn’t be who or where I am today.” These formative years instilled in him a respect for craftsmanship and history, elements that would later define his career.

After high school, Mark enrolled at West Virginia University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration while working in the coal mines to support his studies. He later went on to complete a master’s degree in Safety Management, also from WVU. His early career as a mine safety technician taught him the value of precision and discipline—qualities that laid the foundation for his future business ventures.

Professional Career

Mark’s journey into barn restoration began when a friend asked for help dismantling an old barn in the mid-1990s. Inspired by the craftsmanship of early American structures, he founded the company Antique Cabins and Barns in 1995. By 1998, he had teamed up with Johnny Jett and Sherman Thompson, two experienced barn salvagers from Kentucky. The trio formed the nucleus of what would later become the cast of Barnwood Builders.

The idea for the show originated from an unexpected encounter. While working in his office in Lewisburg, West Virginia, a man visited looking for a cabin for a property in upstate New York. After visiting the company’s boneyard and returning impressed, the visitor revealed himself to be a film producer who had worked with Ken Burns. Intrigued by Mark’s story and background, they filmed a 20-minute documentary pilot in 2005. Though initially shelved, the project resurfaced in 2014. Despite offers from producers wanting to insert drama, Bowe and his team remained committed to authenticity. DIY Network agreed to take the show “as is,” and Barnwood Builders was born.

Bowe has overseen the dismantling and restoration of over 500 historic structures. His connection to the heritage-rich region of Fleming County, Kentucky, runs deep. He often works closely with longtime friends and crew members Johnny Jett and Sherman Thompson, both of whom have roots in the area. Bowe’s early collaborations in Goddard, Kentucky, were instrumental in shaping the show’s direction and tone. He has continued to return there for special projects, helping to document and salvage some of the oldest standing wooden and stone buildings in the region.

Beyond the screen, Mark expanded his business in 2016 under the name Barnwood Living, headquartered in White Sulphur Springs. He also owns an insurance agency in the area and previously served on the Lewisburg City Council, reflecting his commitment to local community development and public service.

Over his 30-year career, Bowe has worked on a range of specialized preservation projects using old-world techniques. These have included installing slate roofs on historic landmarks, hand-blowing glass, forging tools, cutting stone by hand, and building homes with traditional joinery techniques. He has also participated in efforts to design storm-resistant housing and holds a patent for a resilient home design intended to withstand natural disasters.

In 2024, Mark Bowe was inducted into the Roll of Distinguished Alumni at West Virginia University’s John Chambers College of Business & Economics. This honor recognizes his entrepreneurial accomplishments and his role in preserving and promoting traditional craftsmanship while serving as a role model for students and professionals alike.

Net Worth

Thanks to his television success and entrepreneurial ventures, Mark Bowe has an estimated net worth of $3 million. His company, Barnwood Living, continues to expand with ventures like a custom furniture line and tiny homes, reinforcing his belief in building things that last.

A Happy Married Life

Mark is married to Cindy Lavender-Bowe. The couple met in 2001 and tied the knot on March 31, 2003. A widely circulated photo from their wedding day captures the joyful and lighthearted spirit of the occasion—with Mark in a retro white tuxedo, sunglasses, and holding a drink, while Cindy beams in her wedding gown and veil.

Today, they live in Greenbrier County, West Virginia, with their son Atticus. Cindy, a former educator and political candidate for the West Virginia House of Delegates, now plays a key role in the Barnwood Living business and remains involved in local initiatives.

Legacy of Craftsmanship

Mark Bowe’s appreciation for traditional craftsmanship is more than professional—it is generational. His passion for salvaging and restoring historic structures was influenced by his father and is now being actively passed on to his son. This three-generation legacy of working with wood and honoring early American building traditions reflects a strong family ethic built around pride, skill, and heritage.

In a 2021 post, Mark celebrated this lineage, sharing photos that captured his father, himself, and his son—all engaged in the physical labor of timber work. Whether it’s passing along tools, knowledge, or the mindset of respecting old logs and hard work, Bowe views this legacy as central to who he is. For the Bowe family, craftsmanship isn’t just a job; it’s tradition in motion.

Physical Traits

According to an early form of identification, Mark Bowe was listed at a height of 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm), with brown hair, green eyes, and a weight of 155 pounds during his teenage years. Over time, his adult physical profile has evolved while maintaining his distinctive appearance, often marked by his rustic style and practical workwear.

Physical Trait	Description
Height	5 feet 11 inches (180 cm)
Weight	Approx. 155–175 lbs (70–80 kg)
Hair color	Dark brown
Eye color	Green
Body type	Athletic
Skin tone	Fair
Facial features	Square jaw, prominent nose
Style	Casual, rustic, outdoorsy
Accessories	Baseball cap, sunglasses, watch
Tattoos	None visible
Piercing	None visible