Why we love an old barn.

I love an old barn.  This isn't a newly acquired

taste.  Growing up in the country during the rather radical 60's, we were lucky enough to have reminders of days gone by within our reach.  There were three spectacular barns our property; one older than the next.  One of them was home to an old car; my father was antique car buff.  I'm not sure you could call this an antique though.  I believe it was a Studebaker and it was dusty and smelly; home to hornets and other things I don't want to imagine.  That being said, we would sit in that car, inside the barn with the sunlight pouring in the cracks, and we would "drive" to California.  Usually, this cross country trip was to see Aunt Gert.  We didn't see her often so this form of cross country travel filled the gap.  We argued over who got to drive.  I can still feel that cold steering wheel in my hands and yes, the smell of the old and glorious barn remains with me fifty years later.

When Preservation Connecticut announced a barn photography contest, I was in.  Entranced by my childhood memories and my love for barns, I began taking photos.  I'm not a professional photographer in any way shape or form, but I love to take pictures.  And when the subject is as captivating as an old barn, it was easy.

I was delighted to find out that one of my photos was selected for the exhibition!  Chosen by a juried panel, my black and white photo captured two things I love....a barn and a stone wall.  Yes Virginia, we're in New England.  My chosen photo is the first photo on the post.

It was fun to see it on display at the Art League of New Britain.  The show is traveling and will be showing in Woodstock, Connecticut at The Woodstock Academy Loos Center for the Arts from November 23rd through January 8th.

I only entered a couple of photos in the contest but I think that all of these barns deserve attention.  We imagine what's inside, who built the barn and what it was like on a cold winter's night over a hundred years ago.  I'd like to share photos that I've taken along the way.  

Springtime in a barn brings warmth.  This barn is perched on a hill with a lovely view.  The trees had just begun their glorious blooms.  Who planted the trees?

Rumor has it that this barn predates it's 1800's farmhouse.  Imagine the history.

A simple barn that has probably never seen paint.

This barn has been carefully cared for.  New white trim paint and a relatively new roof.  Beautiful.

The barn plays such a big part in American history.  

The details of an old barn are so important.  Antique barn wood is often re-purposed, but what about the parts?

It was the small round window in the peak that caught my attention at this barn on the marsh although I suspect it's not original.

Most barns don't have a lot of windows. Apparently only used for storage now, this barn sits precariously close to the road.

A yellow barn!  What a nice contrast to the red we usually see.  This particular barn is on the Preservation Connecticut barn tour.

 So many parts integral to the working barn.

Overlooking a small pond, this abandoned barn draws us in.  Those of you who follow my blog know how I love abandoned places!

Looking very regal on top of the hill, this looks as though it just received a new coat of barn red paint.  Did the stone pens hold cows?  Sheep?  I love the fact that there are two tractors housed underneath.

The use of stone in the creation of this fantastic barn is wonderful!  Not only in the stone walls, but in the structure itself.

Another that sits too close to the road for my taste.  I worry that "progress" will take someday make the barn just a memory.  Let's hope the road isn't widened any time soon.

A smaller barn on a simple stone foundation.

This large barn sits in a small valley; a ridgeline of maples and pines watch over it like a sentinel.

It was the roofline that caught my attention here along with the light blue color.

A lovely dairy barn tall and proud.

Without proper care, how long can we expect these structures to stand?

One of my favorites....can we please fix the roof?  There's a lot of life left in this barn.

A tricky roof to shingle.  Lovely lines.

And that barn that inspired me in the first place?  It's almost like a member of the family....showing up in the background of many old family photos!

The barn makes a terrific back drop for a new colt and his mom!

Hands down, my favorite.  The barn is no longer there but we'll always have the memories.

"Through the ample open door of the peaceful country barn, A sun-lit pasture field, with cattle and horses feeding; And haze, and vista, and the far horizon, fading away."  Walt Whitman