An Old Barn
- June 07, 2010
- Category: Daily Diary
- (19) Comments
Today, I looked up the meaning of “old” and here’s the definition: archaic, ancient, out dated, on its last legs.” Not very flattering terms for a life rich with experience. I walk outside under cornflower blue skies to visit our old barn built in a time when life in Vermont was harsh and unforgiving. A piece of history sitting on our farm. Outdated, never. On it’s last legs? Not for long because we are getting ready to restore it.
Our old barn, which appeared in the movie, “Disappearances” and in generations past housed dairy cows and pigs and perhaps other animals. Here’s some pictures.
Originally, it was a three story structure.
Here’s some of the old lettering way up high.
A view of the inside. On the highest level, hay was stored.
On the second level were dairy cows and the milking stands. We still have the old milking stanchions put away.
On the lower level, manure was collected, farm wagons were stored and pigs were housed.
Just another picture of the vastness of the interior.
Yes, our old barn.
The stories it could tell, the years it has seen. Lives from a generation past rippling into the present.
Laying your hand flat on the old barn-board brings forward such wondrous pictures of the “pioneers” before us. Yours is a beautiful building.
Date: June 07, 2010
I think it’s absolutely beautiful, hope you don’t let it fall. I’ve seen quite a few like that, or should I say, used to see. When I was little I used to love playing in them. I found kittens once (and their mother) in an old feeding trough for cows/horses in an old barn.
Date: June 07, 2010
Great Photo.Thank you for sharing it.
Date: June 07, 2010
That is an amazing structure! I never knew that they had so many levels. I always just assumed that they would store hay up top and then the cows and other animals on the floor.
I am really looking forward to your pictures and descriptions of the restoration. I’m assuming that this will be a weekend project for Mountain man
Date: June 07, 2010
I like “old” stuff. I like your barn.
How long have you owned your property?? I find it amazing in this day and age to know folks who have owned their land for generations. I wish I was one of them…
Date: June 07, 2010
I love stuff like this….live it
One of my dreams has been to live in the country and have a barn…even an older one like this 
You’re right…I bet it has tons of stories to tell. It’s romantic looking…In a way,it almost reminds me of a cathedral or something with the light peering in from that tiny window at the tippy top of the barn 
Will you keep a barn or will you turn it into something else?
Big hugs and greetings from Oregon, Heather H
Date: June 08, 2010
I’m so glad to hear you are restoring it. Too many treasures like this are being lost every day and it’s a history that can never be replaced. The town closest to us is tearing down 41 buildings, some pre-date confederacy and are over 170 years old. Heartbreaking to say the least.
Date: June 08, 2010
I can’t wait to see the restoration. Will you share your plans with us as we tag along for the journey?
Date: June 08, 2010
what a beautiful barn with a beautiful story behind it. I adore old buildings.
Date: June 08, 2010
Cool! I own “Disappearances”… and went to Kris Kristofferson’s concert in Burlington to celebrate the opening of the movie.
Date: June 08, 2010
What a fantastic piece of history!
Date: June 08, 2010
Beautiful old barn! Glad MM is gonna fix it up. Reminds me of the old barn in Maine where my father lived as a young boy. I was surprised to learn the cows were upstairs like you said. It had been turned into an antiques shop and was very nice to see his old stomping grounds.
Date: June 08, 2010
I don’t mean my father lived in the barn. The house was still there too!!
Date: June 08, 2010
” Lives from a generation past rippling into the present.”
How lovely! Both your sentiment and the building itself.
Old barns and other buildings like that have such character, and I feel grateful joy when I hear of their restoration. I once had dreams of renovating an old barn into a house; I even drew up plans for it, and sketched out renderings of the first story, which would have been one big, open room, with the kitchen at its heart.
Please do keep us all informed and take us on the journey pf restoration!
Date: June 08, 2010
@MW, I think renovating a barn is a great project. I even had aspirations the same as @ethelmaepotter and thought it would be neat to make one part of a barn into a living area and keep the rest to work on cars and other shop things. However I just couldn’t get the rest of the family to buy into such a crazy idea. Anyway, it’s just not what my live in daughter would consider a great thing to do.
I am looking forward to seeing how it all comes together.
Date: June 09, 2010
Good Morning Mountain Woman! What a BEAUTIFUL old Vermont barn you have…oh what I’d give to have a barn like that here on the farm. I love the posts and beams and all that old barnwood. I know you and Mountain Man will do a wonderful job of restoring it. I’m looking forward to seeing pictures when you find time to start the project. I hope you’re having a wonderful Wednesday……:-)
Date: June 09, 2010
I just absolutely love old barns and yours sure makes the list. If you don’t mind I am going to barrow one of these pictures.
Date: June 09, 2010
Oh, I can picture many barn cats laying and walking on those beams in that great big barn of yours! The dogs wouldn’t get near them! Meow
Date: June 10, 2010
What a beautiful barn! I’ve always wanted to see an old barn restored, there are so many old barns out here that are falling down from neglect. Good for you for restoring a piece of agricultural history!
Date: June 11, 2010