Barns

Fun Facts About Barns

• The word "barn" has Old English roots, meaning "barley house or storage place". In early medieval England, barley was a primary staple crop. Over time, it became the general term for any building used to store harvested grain and livestock.
• Red barns weren't originally a style choice. The color arose because 18th century farmers used a wood sealant (linseed oil and iron oxide) that just happened to dry in a reddish-brown color.
• Historic barns often predate the house and other buildings on their current farmstead. That's because many were dismantled and moved board-by-board to new locations.
• Barn are frequently larger than houses because of the number of different animals they house, like horses, oxen and dairy cows, plus the large quantities of hay, straw and grain stored in them.
• Barn doors slide instead of swing for a reason. Sliding doors will not get stuck in snow or mud, or be torn off by sudden gusts of wind.
• Dutch barns are characterized by their wide open design. This facilitates the natural drying of hay and straw, preventing spoilage.
• Corn crib barns are a specialty design. Their slatted walls allow airflow to dry corn and prevent mold, while keeping pests out.
• Bank barns are two-level agricultural structures built into hillsides. This clever design gives ground-level access to multiple floors. Usually animals below, hay above.