Barns

A type of outbuilding used for a variety of agricultural purposes, such as crop or equipment storage. Less specialized than, for example, tobacco houses, barns served as generic, multi-purpose farm buildings throughout the south from the 17th century onward. They sometimes contained wooded threshing floors as well as shed additions often used as stables. (p22)

The word barn is defined in Webster's as "a building for storing farm produce and/or stabling livestock." Its origins in England refer more to the first function. The word is derived from a combination of two Anglo-Saxon words, bere, meaning barley (or subsequently any grain), and ern, meaning place of storage. "Cow house," "stable," or some other term is used to signify those structures providing animal shelter, although in the relatively mild climate of Great Britain animals are frequently left in the open the entire year.

...

The barn, then, is defined in the American Midwest [including Ohio] by the functions it performs, either originally or currently.

These functions include animal shelter, crop storage, crop processing, equipment storage, and machinery repair.

The Barn refers to the place on the farm where any, or several, of these activities regularly takes place. However, if the building is specialzed in function, its designation may carry an adjective, such as "sheep" barn or "horse" barn. Similarly, in some instances a substitute term, such as smoke house, machine shed, or sheep fold, may be used for the specialized-function structure, especially if a larger multipurpose "barn" is also on the farm. (p8-9)

of "Shed:"

A freestanding structure built for storage or used as a covered workspace or shelter for animals or goods. Such buildings were often completely open on one or more sides. (p.327; emphasis added)

Also: A room or wing of a building... Shed extensions appeared in domestic and agricultural buildings from the early 17th century onward and functioned as service rooms, bedchambers and workspaces. ... (p.327)

• Bay = Rectangular space for wagon or carriage.
  also = space between bents of large timber frame
  Eventually = Auto bay...larger with time (q.v. McAlister).
  

• Stall = Narrow rectangular restraining slot, usually for large livestock (cattle, horse)
  - not small livestock (sheep, hogs) usually kept in groups, not individually.
  

• Pen = Squarish living quarters for livestock (usually for large livestock)
  Supposed origin of 16' or 16.5' Pole, Rod, and sometimes Ell
  

Example: Study of the Barns of the Wilmington Survey

Rules:

• Barns only:
• no sheds, large or small
• no large corncribs / granaries
• No chicken coops, cattle lounging sheds, wagon sheds

• Include all barns inventoried, regardless of the number at each ArcLoc.
• Include barns converted to different uses (e.g. later wagon shed at Childrenšs Home)
• English: Assume medium size, flat siting, 3 bays unless stated
  (tho begs the question: barn vs. shed)

Observations:

• Few gambrel roofs (only one: Twin Springs)
• Few 4-bay English
• Prefer Carriage Barn vs. Carriage House (but also Carriage Shed - especially if attatched appendage)

[types need revised]

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Barn Types vs. House Types
Barn	House
stringent vertical differentiation (levels)	looser vertical differentiation (stories)
very flexible horizontal differentiation (spaces)	fairly stringent horizontal differentiation (rooms)
most barns are rectangular - square barns are unusual, and are usually modifications of extant types, or are novel types.	house types vary greatly in shape

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Livestock Barn Thoughts
Name	Use
"lounging shed"	only loose sheltering cattle
"cattle shed"	loose shelter and feeding
?	loose shelter and housing (with stalls)
cattle barn	housing (with stalls) and other

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© INTREPID HISTORICAL SERVICES - Kevin B. Coleman Chillicothe, Ohio, USA
Adapted 05/01/02 from Word Perfect document "I_Barns" - Version 2.3, 03/06/01