Barn Renovation Project

[Von]

Robert, Nice job! Where you able to take advantage of NYS barn renovation grant money? I know that they have had it for a few years now. I had the head of the whole dept. here at my shop a few weeks ago. But they are looking for barns that are more in an ag setting. Mine is more of a large carrage house. She did say that it was one of the nicest she has ever seen, but no money for me. /w3tcompact/icons/sad.gif She was going to see what she could get me to start restoring the house. so my fingers are crossed.

 

[rancar]

Hi Von....

Thanks for the kind remarks!

No....unfortunately, I didn't have the opportunity to apply for any barn renovation grant monies since I did most of this work in the mid-1980s before this program was around. Now, I'm in maintenance mode trying to just maintain what I've renovated and continuing the minor rehab work as I go along.

Good luck with your rehab/renovation work. I find this type of work, while costly, to be personally satisfying and rewarding. I would like to think when I move on someone else will continue the preservation work.

Bob

 

[MikePA]

rancar, again, a fantastic job on the barn and buildings. You can almost feel the history in those beams. That's some pretty nice hay on your Sound of Music hill, too. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[rancar]

Thanks Mike. Buildings do talk in a sense and from this I can glean some perspective of this main dairy barn. I think this one could tell quite a story.

Local realtor who is also a builder stopped by and looked at this barn and commented that during the 19th century only well to do people could afford to build with this type of massive hand hewn post and beam framing. The transom window over the double barn doors on second story is also quite a unique feature for a building of this era....only well to do folks built these features into their barn buildings.

The hay on the Sound of Music hill is freshly cut alfalfa/clover mix. Nothing spells nicer than freshly cut alfalfa.

Thanks again for your kind remarks.

Bob

 

[Golfgar4]

WOW Bob! /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif

I hadn't taken the time to look at this thread before this evening. I had no idea what you had here.

What an absolutely beautiful job of restoration! You must be very proud of your accomplishment and your property, as you should be.

What a wonderful talent you have, to be able to take what most people would consider beyond salvation, and return it to it's original beauty. And to have it all on that beautiful setting. I'd say you're pretty close to heaven there! /w3tcompact/icons/love.gif

I look forward to more pictures, as you complete other projects. Of course, we wouldn't object to seeing an occasional shot of a 4710 either /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif. But keeping the two "subjects" separate from each other does show a certain respect to the integrity of the subject. Each has it's own place.

Thanks for sharing with us. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

The work you've done is both incredible and inspiring. Congratulations! It's really beautiful.

You've made me reconsider an old bank barn that's sitting on some property I'm hoping to own next month. If I get my land deal done I'd like to send you some pictures to get your opinion if you wouldn't mind.

 

[rancar]

Thanks for the kind remarks Garry. This barn project has been a labor of love for the past 18 years. I got into it after I started renovating the house and found I had a certain affection for historic preservation. I just felt it was a barn worth saving.

Will be posting more pics of other projects....with the 4710 and without...as they unfold.

Bob

 

[rancar]

Thanks Gary. These old barns I think are really worth saving. The post and beam framework in many cases are cost prohibitive to replicate and if the roof on your potential new purchase is still intact then the framework should be OK. I'd be happy to take a look at your pics and share my thoughts on renovation potential and cost. Send them my way when you're ready.

Bob

 

[hazmat]

Great job Rancar! I have barn envy!

As we live on such relatively little land (4 acres) I have no justifiable reason to have a barn, but I WANT one. My town likes to think it has rural character, but is growing more suburban every day. If I ever build one, my city friends will probably call it a carriage house.

I do get to look at the neighbor's barn, but it is badly in need of restoration. Unfortunatley it is not a working barn anymore. The house in front has been converted to apartments. I think my land used to be part of whatever farm existed years ago, there is a chicken coop foundation on my property.

Sadly the barn will probably fall down before it is restored.

I've got to get my scanner working so I can post some pictures.

 

[rancar]

Hi Steve...

<font color=blue>I have no justifiable reason to have a barn, but I WANT one.</font color=blue>

You may not be able to justify having one or building one but it's likely you would find a ton of uses for one if you had it. Some use examples: storage for all those things you no longer have room for in the house, store your cars and tractors, woodworking projects and the like (such as a woodworking shop).

<font color=blue>Sadly the barn will probably fall down before it is restored.</font color=blue>

Have you thought about offering to purchase it from your neighbor and re-erect it on your property. 4 acres is fairly large and would sure accommodate a barn easily. Or better yet, maybe your neighbor will just give it to you free of charge if it's that much of an eyesore and if you take it down. This type of arrangement is often done throughout New England. If it's a smaller barn, it may not be all that difficult to take apart and put together on your property. There are contractors around that do this kind of work. I see from your profile that you are in Massachusetts. I know of a fellow in Buskirk, NY (not far from Mass) that does this work for a living. If interested, he could likely give you a quote for what this may cost.

Don't quickly dismiss the idea of a barn. These are highly versatile structures and if you had one you'll likely say to yourself "How could I have ever gone so long without one?" /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

BTW, congratulations on your recent wedding. Many joys and best wishes to you and your bride for many years to come.

Bob