Farm Outbuildings and Plans

The rural context

Much of American history is associated with activities that were not urban, not internationally oriented, and not national in scope.

The principal occupation of free holders and slaves until the 20th century was agriculture.

Agriculture is practicing the possible—relating the character of land with crops, availability of labor and the potential markets for the products.

Agricultural buildings are adaptations to the particulars of the crops and processes possible at the time of a building’s construction.

Two realms of agriculture

Agricultural families (including those whose focus is grazing) divide the landscape upon which the live and work into two zones.The domestic agricultural zone.

Buildings associated with the house include: Dairies, meat houses, well heads, privies, chicken coops, pigeon houses, kitchens, tool sheds, wash houses, drying houses. The income producing zone.

Buildings associated with harvest, processing, and storage of crops, animals, or equipment.

In a slavery, or tenancy-based agricultural system the housing of the majority of slaves, or tenant farmers was an economic consideration.

Barns, granaries, stables, as well as combination buildings that served multiple functions.

Barns

• Barns vary according to the region and agricultural practices. – a. Bank Barn, 1920, Versailles Vic., Morgan County, MO. A Mennonite

community, this was the last barn of this type built there. – b. Stone Bank barn, Baltimore County, MD – c. Frank Chyle Jr. frame dairy barn Main St. Protivin, IA – d. Harnsberger Octagonal Barn Augusta County, VA – e. Chase-Redfield Barn, Main St., Randolph, VT. ca. 1804.

Barn Types

The most systematic study of barn typology was undertaken by Henry H. Glassie. “The Variation of Concepts Within Tradition: Barn Building in Otsego County, New York,” 1974. Glassie created a typology based upon the framing systems.

Domestic agricultural buildings

• Ancillary buildings around the dwelling are often vernacular in design and details. – a. Smoke House Mount Airy, Richmond County, VA. – b. Ice House, Aull House, Lafayette County, MO. Vernacular in use, but

not in details. – c. Summer Kitchen, Weikert Farm, Adams County, PA. – d. Slave houses, Ste. Genevieve Hotel, Ste. Genevieve , MO – e. Summer Kitchen, Fort Lowell, Pima County, AZ – f. dovecote, Bowman's Folly, Accomack County, VA

Slave Inventory at Moss Neck, May 18th 1858

20 Cabins

15 new, plastered, brick chimneys, sealed floors, glass & sash, made of best material & in

thorough order & perfectly comfortable room down & upstairs.

In all 56 buildings on Moss Neck. 50 frame Houses, weather boarded brick chimneys &

underpinnings, 5 log houses –one brick chimney- 1 brick dwelling house & all in the

best orderS. W. Corbin

Carter Family’s old housefrom Davis, Jackson. “Practical Training in Negro Rural Schools;” The

Southern Workman. 42 (Dec. 1913): 657-671.

Prestwould Plantation, Mecklenburg County, VA 1797?

In 1860 John Dickinson had 20 slaves and six slave houses. Today there is one

Hobonny Plantation, Beaufort Parish, South Carolina