Examining the Historic Types of Barns in New York
Barns are one of the original structures created in the state of New York as well as the rest of the country. They have played a significant role in American history, and they are iconic structures. In fact, some barns are more than a few centuries old still standing tall today.
Barn raising is not as popular as it was a few decades ago. For some homeowners, an older barn may be considered an eyesore, especially if it is in various stages of decay. However, these historic structures serve as a memory of the nation’s rich history. So, they should be appreciated.
The Classic Types of American Barns
Barns New York often feature the classic American styles. This includes:
• Dutch Barns: Some of the earliest barns in New York were made in the Dutch style. Very few, however, have survived over the centuries. A Dutch barn is easily recognized because it has a simple, yet massive, exterior. There is a full gable roof, horizontal siding, and a pent roof to offer extra protection at the entryway. A Dutch barn’s interior looks like a church, with a large central aisle, H-beams, and mortise-and-tenon joints. If a Dutch barn is preserved, they are stunning.
• Bank Barns: The Bank barn design is one of the most unique in American history. It uses slopes naturally occurring on the land to create levels of productivity. These bank barns were typically built with a longer side running against the slope. This allows livestock to be housed on the lower level, located more at the bottom of the hill. The Bank barn is like the daylight basement concept in modern homes. The daytime section in history would face south so that it provided livestock with a protective space for winter. The second story was traditionally constructed at the top of the hill to allow wagons and owners to carry wheat and hay into the barn with ease. Some early Bank styles featured stone sidewalls for added structural integrity and to prevent fire.
• Round Barns: The Round Barn is a real piece of American history. In fact, George Washington has a sixteen-sided barn at his Mount Vernon estate. Round barns are efficient, and they require fewer materials to construct, but still offer the same amount of storage. Compared to traditional square or rectangular barns, the round barn was more stable. Also, they are constructed using self-supported roofs, which eliminates the need for interior supports and maximizes internal storage capacity.
Traditional Barns Abandoned Across the Country
While barns are a piece of American history, they are often abandoned. Per a 2007 USDA census, farmers found that there were approximately 650,000 abandoned barns in the country. The number of American barns had dropped since 1950, back when there used to be millions across the nation.
Some barn enthusiasts are trying to preserve the iconic buildings by renovating them into structures, garages, and residences.