The round barn was likely the most unique style of barn built in the U.S. The great round barn built in 1826 by the Shakers at Hancock, Mass., undoubtedly served as inspiration for many. Round barns varied in size and design, depending on their purpose. Some were used for horse breeding; others housed dairy herds and draft animals.
Some round barns had overhead conveyor tracks around the perimeter of the lower floor, used to move feeding and manure handling equipment. Some had a central ventilation shaft also used to drop hay and other feed from above. "Dumbwaiter" elevators were a rare feature. Some had feed grinding equipment at the bottom of the shafts.
In some, radiating bracing timbers extended to the round walls, while others were built around a center silo with radiating timbers to support the great structures. Upper areas were usually completely open with no central support, with all support from the loft up to the cupola furnished by the stud ding and rafter arrangement.
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.