Historic Barns of Connecticut

Designations

n/a

Historic Significance

Architectural description:

This is a 1 ½ story, tripartite side or eave-entry barn. The main façade faces east, perpendicular to Old Boston Post Road, which runs approximately east-west. The main entry is a pair of exterior sliding doors in the middle bay. The southernmost door is half the width of the larger, northernmost door. Both doors have diagonal flush-board siding. Each of the flanking bays has a centered six-pane window. Above the windows and set slightly towards the middle bay are interior-set haydoors; one in the north bay and one in the south bay. The south gable-façade has a pass-through door slightly off center towards the east and a six-pane window beneath the apex of the roof. The north gable-façade has an identical window in the gable attic. The barn is clad in unpainted vertical flush-board and has corner boards. The roof is asphalt shingles with projecting overhangs with soffits and a rake board. Centered atop the roof is a weathervane.

Historical significance:

The oldest barns still found in the state are called the “English Barn,” “side-entry barn,” “eave entry,” or a 30 x 40. They are simple buildings with rectangular plan, pitched gable roof, and a door or doors located on one or both of the eave sides of the building based on the grain warehouses of the English colonists’ homeland. The name “30 by 40” originates from its size (in feet), which was large enough for 1 family and could service about 100 acres. The multi-purpose use of the English barn is reflected by the building’s construction in three distinct bays - one for each use. The middle bay was used for threshing, which is separating the seed from the stalk in wheat and oat by beating the stalks with a flail. The flanking bays would be for animals and hay storage.

Field Notes

i. Barns over 75 years old. I’ve been told by many different people (town historians) the three out buildings were built at that same time as the house (1838). The post and beam timbers in all three out buildings (barn, black smith shop and chicken/goat house) are similar to those used in the house. In addition, the barn has a glass window containing a cast metal frame containing a patent date of 1886 along with other markings which may have been installed at a later date. In any event the window may date the barn to 1886. Also, I have old photos taken ~1880-1900 of the barn and property. ii. The property isn’t listed on the State Registry of Historic places. However, it contains a rich history and can be traced back to the founding fathers of Connecticut’s State Capital (Hartford). More information upon request. iii. Outstanding example of type or era. The barn and black smith shop are all in original condition and have not been modified or updated since they were constructed. As a result, they need a foundation under them to prevent them from continuing to sink into the ground and rot. vi. Demonstration of Public benefit The property is located in down town Old Saybrook. The house and 3 out buildings sit on 2 acres and is what’s left of the large farm the Harts once own. We are only the third family to own the property since 1838. The Harts (1838-1977) and the Burtons (1977-2007) before us. The Burtons farmed the land for the past 30 years selling and donating the fresh produce to local residents. The farm is called Pennywise Farm and the name dates back to the early 1800s when the Harts would let some of the less fortunate local residents who didn’t own enough of their own land to grow vegetables to farm a section of the Harts property. That particular area in Old Saybrook is now where the old town green is located (next to the Congregational Church) which also happens to be at the end Pennywise Lane. I usually have a very large garden each year. The garden will contain ~ 250 tomato plant, 120 pepper plants 30 squash plants. Like the Burtons, I sell some of the fresh produce to the local residents, but most it I donate to the local community soup kitchen. The last garden I had, I donated 100’s of pounds of both tomatoes and peppers to support the local soup kitchen. In addition, I have the kindergarten school teacher come and collect all the black walnuts she needs for her classes. 2011 Barns Grant pre-application

Use (Historic)

• equestrian

Use (Present)

• storage

Exterior Visible from Public Road?

Yes

Demolished

n/a

Location Integrity

Unknown

Related features

• Garage
• Garden
• Other
• Shed

Environment features

• Residential

Relationship to surroundings

The barn sits towards the rear of the lot at 64 Old Boston Post Road. A shed is just north of the barn, as well as two others between the barn and the house, which sits close to the road. The lot has open space to the west and south of the house.

Building Typology

• English

Materials

• Flush-board
• Vertical Siding

Structural System

• Post & Beam

Roof materials

• Asphalt Shingle

Roof type

• Gable

Approximate Dimensions

30 x 30 Assessors card states 728 sq ft.

Date Compiled

07/14/2010

Compiled By

Todd Levine, reviewed by the Connecticut Trust

Sources

Photographs and field notes by Steve Gernhardt.

Sexton, James, PhD; Survey Narrative of the Connecticut Barn, Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation, Hamden, CT, 2005, http://www.connecticutbarns.org/history.

Visser, Thomas D.,Field Guide to New England Barns and Farm Buildings, University Press of New England, 1997.

Town of Old Saybrook assessors: www.ceo.fando.com/oldsaybrook