Proud Survivors:

Article Tools

Image Gallery

Print

E-mail

Comments

RSS

The haymow capacity of the round barns was awesome. Often the diameter of the loft floor was as much as 80 feet, with 65 to 70 feet of space up to the peak.

Some barns, livery stables and milking barns, for instance, were unique structures because of their use or modifications. Livery stables came in all shapes and sizes. Many were little more than enclosed shed-like structures. When stone was available, it was often used.

The milking barn, particularly as seen in Amish communities, was a long building equipped with stanchions on the first floor, and a haymow above.

A unique feature of the milking barn was an overhang above the first floor, which gave shelter below, including at the doors and windows. Usually those overhangs were on three sides of the barn, with those at the front and one sick accessible to animals in the stock corral. The overhang on the third side was outside the corral, and furnished weather protection for wagons, buggies or other equipment.

'Byre (German for cattle) and bluff' was another design often using an overhang. The second level extended over the animals' 'loafing' area on the downhill side. Most byre and bluff barns had limestone foundations which kept them from settling. Their louvered venting was efficient at providing air flow, while keeping out snow and rain. Some had limestone threshing floors inside the main entrance, and star designs under their peaks.

For extensive information on barn types, history and more: The American Barn by Randy Leffingwell, Motorbooks Int., PO Box 1, Osceola, WI54020.

For literature and programs on preserving and restoring barns, write to BARN AGAIN!, National Trust for Historic Preservation, 910 16th St., Denver, CO 80202. Paul F. Long is a Kansas freelance writer specializing in agricultural history and nature.

Gary Van Hoozer is a Missouri freelance writer specializing in agricultural history and farming methods.

RSS | Comments | E-mail | Print