Vermont barn census lays foundation for preservation efforts

Author: Amanda Cormier

Across the state, historians and preservationists are racing to save an image of quintessential Vermont that has begun to fade: sprawling blue sky, cows grazing on green pastures, and a barn nestled into the hillside. But before they can begin to preserve the bucolic imagery that has defined the state and spurred its tourism industry, they must first catalog what remains: in particular, historical barns.

The Vermont Barn Census is the first of its kind - a state-wide attempt to catalog the features and current uses of Vermont's historical barns. The Census is spearheaded by Nancy Boone of the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation, in Montpelier. As the state's designated architectural historian, Boone applied to the federal government for financial help in funding the project and has overseen its progress.

But ultimately, the success of the project is dependent upon interested volunteers to provide photos and information about any nearby barn that is more than 50 years old - such as roof type, age estimate, and dimensions - that will give experts what they need to take the next step in preserving a part of Vermont history. The Census requires no solid time commitment from volunteers, and anyone can participate. Mike Plummer, a University of Vermont (UVM) graduate student who interned with the Historic Preservation Program, helped design the survey.

"If possible, volunteers are also encouraged to find out what they can about the barn's history - either through conversations with the owner or through research at the town historical society or library," he wrote in an e-mail. "That said, we've tried to design the census to be accessible and enjoyable for all volunteers - no special skills are required, just an affinity for old barns and some free time."

Volunteers are integral to the success of the Census, as they are responsible for providing most of the information. After taking photos and detailed notes about the conditions of barns in their areas, volunteers send their information through a form on the project's web site. The 60 barns that have been recorded are then displayed on an interactive map. So far, two barns have been mapped in Addison County: one, the Round Barn/Langeway Barn off of Route 7 (pictured below) in Ferrisburg, is described as "in a state of total ruin."

Discussion began among Vermont preservationist groups in the winter of 2007, when snowfall brought down a number of historic barns. Many of the state's barns have stood since the boom years of Vermont agriculture in the 1800s, but little use or routine maintenance has weakened their structures. As the number of operating farms in the state diminished, and the structures of the older barns began to break down, Vermont preservationists became concerned about the state's tourism industry, which relies on a distinctive rural landscape.

Thomas Visser, director of UVM's Historic Preservation Program, was involved in conceptualizing the Census in discussions among preservationist groups. Author of Field Guide to New England Barns and Farm Buildings, Visser frequently lectures on the importance of barn preservation. In an e-mail, Visser discussed how surveying is the first step towards preservation. Drawing a parallel to wildlife protection Visser noted that the barn census is the equivalent of conducting a population study of an endangered species.

"Now as the basic protective and structural systems [of barns] are breaking down, it appears that we are seeing a greater rate of loss," wrote Visser, "Certainly some older barns, though, are being very well cared for through regular maintenance. Even the State of Vermont has been assisting with barn preservation efforts by appropriating funds to support a limited barn preservation grant program administered by the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation. Nevertheless, since there has been no comprehensive survey of barns in the state, we have only been able to rely on impressions to quantify the magnitude of the problem."

On Oct. 18 and 19, the Division of Historic Preservation held its Fall Census Weekend. While volunteers can collect Census info at any time, the event featured a workshop to give volunteers detailed instructions for how to collect data. Plummer said that volunteer feedback has been positive thus far.

"One of the main goals of the Census is to spark a conversation among Vermonters: what do these old barns mean to us? What can we learn from them about our shared heritage? What should be done to pass that heritage on to future generations?" said Plummer. "Personally, I know I don't have the answers, but it's fun to be part of the conversation."

Preserving the rural, idyllic image of Vermont - although the function and number of its barns have changed - is something that is important to many Vermonters.

"You see some beautiful barns that have been restored or maintained, but often they're not being used for their original purpose, whether it was for dairy farming or for horses," said Tess Taylor, director of education and public programming for the Vermont Historical Society. "When you see the evidence or remnants [of dilapidated barns], it begs the question 'What was happening here before?' and that's where history comes in."

Taylor said that preserving the barns provides historical context to a certain town or region. The construction of barns largely correlates with the technological advances in agriculture, with the first small, open barns used for sheep-herding. As the state gradually progressed to rely mainly on dairy, the construction of Vermont's barns changed with it.

"[One can see] the wonderful use of our landscape with barns, with barns built into the side of a hill so they were multi-leveled," Taylor said. "The livestock could enter on one level but the farmers could enter on another level straight-on to store hay. [Dairying also led to] venting the barns so all of the livestock's natural gases and hay wouldn't combust."

Although the historical benefits of preservation are apparent to those interested in Vermont's history, Visser said that there are also monetary benefits to be investigated.

"Most barns were built for storage and even if there are no longer agricultural uses for the building, there seems to be a steady demand for storage spaces," he said.

But for those Vermonters who simply want more information about the town in which they live, barns offer a unique view into the past.

"We watch people come in [to the Vermont Historical Society] from all over the world to look at genealogy, or to look at the history of a certain town, because maybe they had an ancestor there," Taylor said. "A barn is another part of that lovely fingerprint that identifies the history of that town or that area."