Historic Barns of Connecticut

Designations

n/a

Historic Significance

Architectural description:

This is a 1 ½ - story gable-entry gambrel-roof barn with its ridge line running east-west perpendicular to West Side Road. The east gable-end of the barn facing the road is the main façade with the main entrance at the center through a top-hung sliding wagon door with a six-pane stable window insert at the center. A similar six-pane stable window with trim can be seen on the facade towards the north and a six-over-six double-hung sash window centered in the gable attic. The south eave-side of the barn has four equally spaced six-pane stable windows and a margin of exposed field-stone masonry foundation along the grade level. The gambrel-roof has two closely spaced gable-dormers towards the west and a brick chimney towards the extreme west just below the ridge. The gable-end of each gable-dormer has a six-over-six double-hung sash window at the center. 

The wooden frame of the barn is supported on coursed field-stone masonry foundation. The barn has metal roofing and red painted wood shingles on walls.

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

This is a red gambrel roof barn with newer metal roof. It may be associated with house to the west, and two red buildings/sheds behind to the south - one deteriorated.

Use (Historic)

• agriculture

Use (Present)

• unknown

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Exterior Visible from Public Road?

Yes

Demolished

n/a

Location Integrity

Unknown

Related features

• Shed

Environment features

• Residential
• Woodland

Relationship to surroundings

The 5.82 acres property, account number - 00083400, map & lot number: 06/010 / 006/00 /, is located towards the west of West Side Road. The property is situated in a predominantly residential area with individual plots separated by woodland. Residential plots can be seen towards the north and the east of the property across West Side Road while dense woodland covers the area towards the west and the south.

The barn is located in the south-east corner of the property with its ridge line running east-west, perpendicular to this portion of West Side Road. The circa 1936 colonial style main residence is located towards the northern edge of the property. A few sheds can be seen scattered towards the southwest of the main residence while dense woodland covers the area towards the west.

Building Typology

• Gambrel

Materials

• Fieldstone
• Wood Shingle

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Structural System

• Wood Frame

Roof materials

• Metal

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Roof type

• Gambrel

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Approximate Dimensions

Barn: 984 SqFt; Garage: 360 SqFt; Shed: 308 SqFt; Shed: 126 SqFt; Shed: 962 SqFt; Shed: 280 SqFt;

Date Compiled

12/07/2010

Compiled By

T. Levine and M. Patnaik, reviewed by CT Trust

Sources

Photographs and field notes provided by Lynne Williamson.

Assessors’ records retrieved on February 22nd, 2011 rieved on February 22nd, 2011 from website http://data.visionappraisal.com/GoshenCT/

Photograph/Information retrieved on February 22nd, 2011 from website http://www.google.com

Photograph/Information retrieved on February 22nd, 2011 from website http://www.zillow.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.