If you’re planning a new barn on an old homestead or in an historic neighborhood, you should take a look at the Historic American Building Survey for design ideas and details. The HABS offers photos and measured drawings of hundreds of historic barns and outbuildings. They are indexed by location, so you can often find buildings that are appropriate for your site’s weather and vernacular building traditions.
1853 Shaker Church Family Cow Barn, State Route 4A, Enfield vicinity, Grafton County, NH
The HABS is a joint effort of the Library of Congress and the National Park Service. It was started by the Works Progress Administration during the Great Depression to offer work to architects and engineers. They were invited to document historic buildings of all types in their areas. The idea was that the records and drawings that they created would be available to future generations, even if the buildings were lost to progress. For the buildings that remained standing, the documents would be a valuable tool for restorers. The extent of the documentation varied greatly from building to building. Some of the old barns are just recorded in photographs. Others have extensive sets of drawings showing floor plans, exterior elevations, timber frames, building details and even details of hand-forged hardware. Most of the material can be viewed online, and higher quality prints can be ordered through the Library of Congress.
The HABS didn’t end with the depression. It’s a work in progress. Preservation minded architects and educators continue to measure and record old structures. You can read more about their efforts to preserve America’s heritage by visiting the website Built in America.
I’ve compiled a list of links to the records of a variety of barns. They span three centuries and show the diversity of American vernacular design. They are just a few samples of the hundreds of barn and outbuilding designs that you can see. Click here to take a look at the list. Then, do your own searches through the vast collection. Make sure to look at the records of historic homes and farmsteads in your area. Many include barns and outbuildings that were on the same properties.
