John C. Porter from the UNH Corporative Extension spoke about the history of barns in New Hampshire on June 11, 2015.
The history and style of the barns are shaped by the agriculture that was being produced over the past 200 years. Because of New Hampshire’s weather the barns were also built to survive the bitter cold winters. Unfortunately, many New Hampshire barns are now in a dilapidated condition because they are owned by widows who are unable to keep them in good shape due to the high upkeep costs.
Below is a history of the evolution of barns in New Hampshire:
The history and style of the barns are shaped by the agriculture that was being produced over the past 200 years. Because of New Hampshire’s weather the barns were also built to survive the bitter cold winters. Unfortunately, many New Hampshire barns are now in a dilapidated condition because they are owned by widows who are unable to keep them in good shape due to the high upkeep costs.
Below is a history of the evolution of barns in New Hampshire:
In the 1800’s, the barns were called English barns – barn styles were copied from ancestors brought over from Europe. These barns were generally small and grew over time as agriculture became more profitable. The English barns always had their doors facing the east side and in the middle of the barn.
The 1850’s were the hay day of New Hampshire agriculture and the barns that were being built were called Yankee barns. Yankee barns had a steeper pitched roof, doors at the end of the barn as well as a cupola situated on top of the barn. The cupolas played a functional role as they were used for the ventilation of hay and in the cow stables.
After the civil war, agriculture was profitable because a railroad was built that connected New Hampshire to the west.
During this period, sheep and wool were also a huge industry and mills were being built along the rivers and producing wool products. About 90% of the barns in New Hampshire were used as cow barns; sheep were mainly kept in sheds. The Yankee barns had an open basement to the south of the barn and hay was stored on the main floor. During this time period, New Hampshire had many open fields and meadows and stone walls were used to keep the sheep and cows corralled.
After the civil war, agriculture was profitable because a railroad was built that connected New Hampshire to the west.
During this period, sheep and wool were also a huge industry and mills were being built along the rivers and producing wool products. About 90% of the barns in New Hampshire were used as cow barns; sheep were mainly kept in sheds. The Yankee barns had an open basement to the south of the barn and hay was stored on the main floor. During this time period, New Hampshire had many open fields and meadows and stone walls were used to keep the sheep and cows corralled.
The next style of barns being built were Gunstock-style barns; named because the posts that hold the barn up are tapered gracefully at the top of the barn their signature indicator of a gunstock frame. Barns were made of several kinds of wood, including beech, chestnut, pine, spruce and white oak.
The barns were built with clapboards on the street side and shakes on the other side of the barn. Very old barns were built with vertical boarding and often two layered.
There were barns built that were attached to the houses and other barns. This allowed businesses such as the wagon repair shop, shoe repair shop and buggy shop all to be under one roof without going outside during inclement weather.
There were Village barns being built. This barn was generally built for the family that had a driving horse, family cow and a few chickens.
There were Village barns being built. This barn was generally built for the family that had a driving horse, family cow and a few chickens.
The logging industry built big barns for their draft horses.
Starting in 1904, barns were being built in a round shape. The feed and grain was in the middle and the cows were along the outside of the barn. Usually these barns were 16 sided.
In the 1940 - 1950’s the government introduced regulation for a clean stables in the barns and cows were required to stand on clean surfaces. These barns had a gambrel roof and concrete floors.
In the 1970’s, barn owners were advised to abandon their old barns and build new ones with tresses.
Today’s barns are being built for the hottest day in July and August and not the coldest day in February. Cows produce less in the heat of the summer than in the cold of winter.
There is a barn assessment grant in place provided by the preservation alliance that offers tax easements for barns. It is called 97D, this benefits the barn owner if they would like to fix their barns up.
