Historic Barns of Connecticut

Designations

n/a

Historic Significance

Architectural description:

This is a two barn complex towards the east of East Street North with the Dutch-gambrel roof barn, Barn-I towards the west and the gable-roof barn, Barn-II towards its northeast. The ridge line of Barn-I runs north-south parallel to the road while that of Barn-II runs east-west. The following is the description of Barn-I while Barn-II is discussed in http://www.connecticutbarns.org/index.cgi/38166.

Barn-I: This is a 2 ½ - story gable-entry Dutch-gambrel-roof barn with its west eave-side facing East Street North. The main façade of the barn is the north gable-façade with two main entrances through two over head garage doors. A large hay door can be seen centered in the gable attic flanked by a window on each side. The apex of the roof projects out to form a hay hood. The west eave-side of the barn has a eighteen-pane window towards the north. The south gable-end of the barn facing the main residence has a twelve-over-twelve double-hung sash window towards the west and an eighteen-pane window towards the east. The gable-end also appears to have two twelve-over-twelve double-hung sash windows at the center. A concrete slab for plinth protection can be seen along the grade level of the south gable-end. The Dutch-gambrel roof of the barn has a weather-vane mounted above a louvered cupola at the center.

The wooden frame of the barn is supported on cement plastered masonry foundation. The barn has asphalt roofing and light yellow painted horizontal siding.

Historical significance:

The New England barn or gable front barn is the successor to the English barn and relies on a gable entry rather than an entry under the eaves. The gable front offers many practical advantages. Roofs drain off the side, rather than flooding the dooryard. With the main drive floor running parallel to the ridge, the size of the barn could be increased to accommodate larger herds by adding additional bays to the rear gable end. Although it was seen by many as an improvement over the earlier side entry English Barn, the New England barn did not replace its predecessor but rather coexisted with it as both types continued to be constructed.
The gambrel roof enclosed a much greater volume than a gable roof did, and its shape could be formed with trusses that did not require cross beams, which would interfere with the movement and storage of hay. Also known as the curb roof, the double slopes of the gambrel offer more volume in the hayloft without increasing the height of the side walls.

Field Notes

3 buildings in proximity - NE barn and shed adjacent to gambrel barn (renovated), with associated historic house (renovated) next to that. Not sure of the plot number, but it is located across Desjardins Woodworking at 211. Also see part - 2/2 : http://www.connecticutbarns.org/index.cgi/38166.

Use (Historic)

• agriculture

Use (Present)

• garage

Exterior Visible from Public Road?

Yes

Demolished

n/a

Location Integrity

Unknown

Related features

• Barn
• Cupola
• Shed

Environment features

• Open Land
• Residential
• Rural
• Woodland

Relationship to surroundings

The 3.4 acres property, account number - 00015500, map & lot number- 04/012 / 011/00 /, is located towards the east of East Street North. The property is situated in a pre-dominantly residential area of rural character surrounded by parcels of open land and dense woodland. Residential plots can be seen towards the north, south and the southwest while parcels of open land can be seen towards the east and the west, across the road.

The two barn complex is located towards the western edge of the property with the Dutch-gambrel roof Barn-I at the center, encircled by a driveway. The gable-roof Barn-II with its additions can be seen towards the northeast of Barn-I while the circa 1740 main residence is located in the southwest corner of the property, abutting to East Street North. The ridge lines of Barn-I and the main residence run north-south parallel to East Street North while that of Barn-II runs east-west. Dense woodland covers southeast corner of the property while parcels of open land can be seen towards the northeast.

Building Typology

• Gambrel

Materials

• Concrete
• Horizontal Siding

Structural System

• Load-bearing Masonry
• Wood Frame

Roof materials

• Asphalt Shingle

Roof type

• Dutch Gambrel

Approximate Dimensions

Garage: 861 SqFt; Barn with loft: 988 SqFt; Barn: 570 SqFt; Shed: 424 SqFt; Shed: 260 SqFt; Farm utility storage shed: 1440 SqFt;

Date Compiled

03/02/2011

Compiled By

Lynne Williamson

Sources

Photographs and field notes provided by Lynne Williamson.

Assessors’ records retrieved on March 2nd, 2011 from website http://data.visionappraisal.com/GoshenCT/

Photograph/Information retrieved on March 2nd, 2011 from website http://www.google.com

Photograph/Information retrieved on March 2nd, 2011 from website http://www.bing.com

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.