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Architectural description:
This is an inverted L-shaped barn complex towards the west of Torrington Road formed by two intersecting gable-roof bank barns. The main arm of the L-shaped bank barn is formed by a 2 ½ - story eave-entry barn which is intersected by another 2 ½ - story gable-entry barn on its west gable-end. The ridge line of the main barn runs east-west perpendicular to this portion of Torrington Road while that of the intersecting barn runs north-south. The main façade of the barn complex is the north eave-façade of the main arm with the main entrance towards the east through a pair of double-height exterior-hung sliding wagon doors which appears to be later addition. The original main entrance to the barn is on the main eave-façade towards the west through a double-height exterior-hung sliding wagon door. The façade has a third entrance towards the extreme west through a pair of double X-braced hinged pass-through doors. The grade level along the main north eave-façade gradually declines toward the east wrapping the east gable-end. The lower grade level along the east gable-end reveals the cement plastered masonry wall of the bank which has two windows towards either side. The east gable-end has a horizontal trim separating the gable attic which is lined by deep soffit and has a window with trim just below the apex of the roof. The south eave-side of the main arm of the barn has a lower grade level to form the bank which is accessed by an exterior-hung sliding wagon door towards the east. A twelve-pane square window can be seen on the south eave-side centered at the second floor level while the first floor level has a boarded window at the center. The east eave-side of the intersecting gable-roof barn has a pass-through door opening at the bank level towards the north and a shed-roof addition towards the southern edge. The east eave-side of the barn has a six-pane window with trim towards the south at the bank level, a boarded window centered at the first floor level and a single-pane window with trim centered at the second floor level. The south gable-end of the intersecting barn has an entrance at the center to access the bank level through an exterior-hung sliding wagon door. The bank level has a window towards the west of the wagon door entrance while a six-pane window with trim can be seen centered in the gable attic which is lined by deep soffit.
The wooden frame of the L-shaped barn complex is supported on cement plastered masonry foundation. The barn complex has grey painted vertical siding and metal roofing.
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 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 New England barn or gable front barn was 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. 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. In this case, both an eave entry and a gable entry are used.
The 19th century would see the introduction of a basement under the barn to allow for the easy collection and storage of a winter’s worth of manure from the animals sheltered within the building. The bank barn is characterized by the location of its main floor above grade, either through building on a hillside or by raising the building on a foundation. This innovation, aided by the introduction of windows for light and ventilation, would eventually be joined by the introduction of space to shelter more animals under the main floor of the barn.
This is a L-shaped barn with wood stored outside. Horse fields, fences can be seen beyond. It is located south side of Rt 4, across from Action Wildlife Next to a house, but a stone wall separates them. So it may not be associated with house. 12/3/10
Yes
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Unknown
The property is located towards the west of this portion of Torrington Road, opposite to Action Wildlife Foundation at 337, Torrington Road. Barn appears to be located in plot number 338 Torrington Road, (1.90 acres, account number - 00009400, map & lot number- 03/008 / 010/00 /). The property is situated in a rural area surrounded by residential plots separated by parcels of farmland and dense woodland. Torrington Country Club surrounds the property on its north, west and the south while barns, sheds and other out-buildings of Action Wildlife Foundation can be seen towards the east, across the road.
The L-shaped barn is located in the northeast corner of the property abutting to Torrington Road with the circa 1962 ranch style main residence towards its south. The edges of the property are demarcated by stone masonry boundary wall which also runs in between the barn and the main residence. Dense woodland can be seen towards the southern edge of the property.
Shed: 176 SqFt; Barn: 2100 SqFt; Barn: 1560 SqFt; Shed: 144 SqFt;
02/22/2011
T. Levine and M. Patnaik, reviewed by CT Trust
Photographs and field notes provided by Lynne Williamson, 12/20/2010
Assessors’ records retrieved 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.