Rural architecture : maine
THE HISTORY OF MAINE BARNS
The term barn is derived from the Latin word granum, meaning beans, since hay was not a crop stored in a structure
during Roman times. The barns of the Maine Wabanaki Tribes were holes in the ground surrounded by bark and covered
with earth.
THE ENGLISH BARN:
during Roman times. The barns of the Maine Wabanaki Tribes were holes in the ground surrounded by bark and covered
with earth.
THE ENGLISH BARN:
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The migrants to Maine from southern New England brought with them a barn design based on those of the early colonists from England, and this became known as the English Barn. It was normally 30 feet by 40 feet in size, had a large sliding carriage door on both the low eave walls, and a threshing floor in the center. The two side areas contained spaces for hay and animals. Originally the structure was of hand-hewn timber with unpainted vertical wood siding.
THE NEW ENGLAND BARN:
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The most common barn in the 19th Century was a three bay structure known as the New England Barn. This was sometimes larger than earlier barns. The carriage doors were situated on the gabled ends. There was a long central aisle with two side aisles for animals and for crop storage. Hay was stored in the upper loft. The barn could be easily extended and lean-to sheds could be added to the sides for more space. The structure was of sawn timber from the new saw mills.
THE GABLE ROOF BARN:
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In the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, gable roofed barns were built to provide more room for hay storage in the loft. Some also had shallow basements for manure storage in dairies. These barns were often the largest barns and had more decorative details. One variation of this style was to locate the barn on a slope to provide easier access to the different levels.
CONNECTED FARM BUILDINGS:
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The northern New England style of connected farm buildings became known as "big house, little house, back house, barn". The design was developed to make access to the barn easier in the winter. This, however, increased the risk of connected damage if
a fire started in the barn.
a fire started in the barn.
Reference: The Barns of Maine by Don Perkins
Click on the horizontal 3-space icon at the top of the page to view other articles. Contact: frederick@biebesheimer.com
Click on the horizontal 3-space icon at the top of the page to view other articles. Contact: frederick@biebesheimer.com
