Historic Barns of Connecticut

Designations

n/a

Historic Significance

Architectural description:

This is a multi-unit barn complex towards the north of Shrub Road comprising of a 2 ½ - story gable-entry multi-bay gambrel-roof main barn with a shed-roof addition encompassing the entire length of its south eave-side and a gable-roof addition attached to its west gable-end. The west gable-end of the gable-roof addition has a shed-roof addition which is turn is attached to a large low-pitch gable-entry gable-roof barn.

The south eave-side of the main gambrel-roof barn faces the road while the ridge line runs east-west almost parallel to this portion of the road. The east gable-end of the barn is the main façade with the main entrance at the center through a pair of exterior-hung X-braced sliding wagon doors flanked by a double-window on each side with two modules of four-pane each. The façade has a distinct dropped girt siding divide line at the lintel level of the main entrance separating the gable attic. The gable attic of the main east gable-façade of the barn has a pair of X-braced hay doors which appear to be sliding on interior-hung tracks. The hay door is flanked by a similar pair of double windows on each side with two modules of four-pane each. The apex of the roof projects outs to form a hay hood which appears to have a pulley hung from the soffit. The east side-wall of the shed-roof addition on the south eave-side of the barn is flush with the main east gable-façade and has a similar double-window at the center with two modules of four-pane each. The south eave-side of the shed-roof addition has a hinged pass-through door towards the extreme west and five Dutch windows equally spaced towards the east. The north eave-side of the barn a wall-dormer window at the center and high grade level which almost touches the eave-level.

The wooden frame of the barn complex appears to be supported on cement plastered masonry foundation and has concrete flooring. The barn has asphalt shingle roofing and red painted vertical siding.

Another 1 ½- story eave-entry gambrel-roof barn with a shed-roof addition on its north gable-end and a gable-roof addition on its south gable-end is located towards the south of the main barn complex. The ridge lines of this gambrel-roof barn and its gable-roof addition run north-south.

Historical significance:

By the early 20th century agricultural engineers developed a new approach to dairy barn design: the ground-level stable barn, to reduce the spread of tuberculosis bacteria by improving ventilation, lighting, and reducing the airborne dust of manure. A concrete slab typically serves as the floor for the cow stables. Many farmers converted manure basements in older barns into ground-level stables with concrete floors. Some older barns were jacked up and set on new first stories to allow sufficient headroom. With the stables occupying the entire first story, the space above serves as a hayloft. By the 1920s most ground-level stable barns were being constructed with lightweight balloon frames using two-by-fours or two-by-sixes for most of the timbers. Novelty or tongue-and-groove beveled siding is common on the walls, although asbestos cement shingles also were a popular sheathing. Some barns have concrete for the first-story walls, either poured in place or built up out of blocks.
The gambrel roof design was universally accepted as it enclosed a much greater volume than a gable roof did, and its shape could be formed with trusses. Also see entry for Pole Barn.

Field Notes

This is a working horse farm with several buildings, fields and riding areas. It is thought the owners plan to develop the property within the next 5 years. It is located in a residential area surrounded by woodlands.

Use (Historic)

• agriculture

Use (Present)

• equestrian

Exterior Visible from Public Road?

Yes

Demolished

n/a

Location Integrity

Unknown

Related features

• Barn
• Other
• Shed

Environment features

• Active Agriculture
• Open Land
• Residential
• Woodland

Relationship to surroundings

The 14.4 acres property, Account number – 0016870 and Map-Lot-unit number - 57/ / 6/ /, is located towards the north of Shrub Road. The property is situated in a predominantly residential area with individual plots separated by woodland and open land. Seymour Park is located towards the west of the property separated by dense woodland while residential units can be seen towards the east and the south, across the road. The area towards the north and the north-west of the property is covered by dense woodland.

The multi-unit barn complex is located towards the eastern edge of the property with the ridge line of the main gambrel-roof barn running east-west, almost parallel to this portion of Shrub Road. The grade level of the site gradually rises towards the west allowing the large gable-roof barn of the complex to be at a hinged level. Another 1 ½- story eave-entry gambrel-roof barn with a shed-roof addition on its north gable-end and a gable-roof addition on its south gable-end is located towards the south of the main barn complex. The ridge lines of this gambrel-roof barn and its gable-roof addition run north-south. The circa 1900 main residence of the property is located towards the south of the second barn complex. The property has fenced paddocks and pastures towards the east and the north of the barn complex.

Building Typology

• Gambrel
• Ground-Level Stable

Materials

• Concrete
• Vertical Siding

Structural System

• Load-bearing Masonry
• Wood Frame

Roof materials

• Asphalt Shingle

Roof type

• Gambrel
• Shed

Approximate Dimensions

Barn: 575 Sqft; Barn: 418 Sqft; Barn: 660 Sqft; Riding arena: 6200 Sqft; Shed: 375 Sqft; Shed: 6072 Sqft;

Date Compiled

05/04/2011

Compiled By

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

Sources

Field notes and photographs provided by: Cherie Robinson, 03/28/2011.

Assessors’ records retrieved on May 4th, 2011 from website http://data.visionappraisal.com/BristolCT/DEFAULT.asp.
 
Photograph/Information retrieved on May 4th, 2011 from website http://www.google.com

Photograph/Information retrieved on March 29th, 2011 from website http://www.bing.com.

Photograph/Information retrieved on May 4th, 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.