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The red barn is a patriotic image for rural America, but why are they such an iconic reflection? Often a frequent job in restoration and preservation is barns. Early American Restoration has personally restored over a dozen and consulted on hundreds. We’re able to preserve and restore historical barns and we’ve even turned one into a fully remodeled kitchen! While the image of barns is representative of early American life, the cultural
significance is often overlooked. Everything from design, construction, and even paint color was thoughtfully crafted and implemented to fit a purpose, yet they remain enduring symbols of rural life and farming heritage.
The first recorded use of the word “barn” goes back to before the 12th century. “Barn” itself comes from the old English words meaning “barley place." Settlers brought over the early designs for barns adapted from similar styles of European long houses. A rectangular structure, these designs later became the more popular and widely recognized “English” style barn that is familiar today.
While the design appears simple in concept, the process is quite tedious and serves as a true testament to artistry and craftsmanship. Typically, these buildings consist of bays: areas for livestock, storage, and a threshing floor for grains. Although other uses include sleeping quarters and space for wagons and carriages. Common materials used during construction included wooden shingles, white oak or pitch pine timbers for framing, as well as iron strap hinges. Massive timbers (sometimes over 60 feet!) were hand-cut and hewn to create swing beams. Mortise and tenon joints created by early carpenters were expertly fitted. To facilitate assembly, posts and beams were individually carved with matching Roman numerals - a practice predating the modern "makers mark" technique. These markings can still be observed in historic barns to this day.
Building a large barn was such a labor-intensive task that entire communities would often come together to participate in barn raising or a “raising bee” to help. Everyone from the township contributed: women and children prepared food and set tables while men and boys used oxen and carts to haul timber. These events were held in high regard and were often seen as a happy celebration. While the days involved demanding physical labor, the atmosphere was joyous, with music, food, and festivities symbolizing the strength of the community and the importance of collaboration. Barns were more than just an agricultural building; they provided shelter from fierce storms, they hosted dances, feasts, and weddings while being passed down from generation to generation.
But what about the iconic barn red color? There are several theories as to why and how
barns got to have that iconic red color. Perhaps the most plausible theory suggests that farmers created an oil-mixture of ferrous oxide (rust), skimmed milk and lime (later linseed oil) to protect the wood from decay, mold and fungi. When this mixture was applied and subsequently dried, it imparted a burnt red color to the wood. This color caught on and later became traditionally replicated with paint. Other theories suggest that Scandinavian and Dutch farmers painted with rusty hues to mimic the appearance of brick, a symbol of wealth. Some have even theorized that wealthy farmers once painted their barn with blood from a recent slaughter to achieve the same red shade.
Although new barns continue to be constructed, efforts to preserve and restore historic barns have seen an increase. The National Park Service in conjunction with the State Historic Preservation Offices offer tax credits for rehabilitation expenses associated with historic barns. While barns have become a roadside staple in America, they represent so much more. Barns embody a time in America of hard work and true grit, of community, the transmission of generational knowledge, and a simpler, slower pace of life that stands in stark contrast to today’s fast-paced world.
“In honoring the forefathers who built the barns, we would not be neglectful of the present generation of farmers who have resisted the blandishments of salesmen who would alter the appearance of the barns beyond recognition.” (Witney)
References
Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation." n.d. <https://dahp.wa.gov/barn-paint-colors>.
Gabler, Ann Gourlay Gabler and Mirko. "Huson River Valley Institute." n.d. <https://www.hudsonrivervalley.org/documents/401021/1049258/hvrr_18pt1_gablerandgabler.pdf/63d23d29-50c5-400e-b07e-9fca6d4a7772>.
Lie-Nielson, Kirsten. "Grit ." 4 may 2022. <https://www.grit.com/farm-and-garden/structures-and-outbuildings/american-barn-zm0z17maztri/>.
"Merriam Webster." n.d. <https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barn#:~:text=%3A%20a%20usually%20large%20building%20for,large%20and%20usually%20bare%20building>.
Service, National Park. "National Park Service." n.d. <https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1739/upload/intro-barns.pdf>.
Witney, Eric Arthur & Dudley. The Barn. Canada: McClelland and Stewart Limited,, 1972
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