Barns of Wisconsin




Image Source:
Barns of Wisconsin by Jerry Apps. Black Earth, WI: Trails Books. 1977, p. 51

Barns of Wisconsin

Photo Source: Zac Hilgendorf

Wisconsin has a rich Scandinavian ethnic heritage which in turn has brought the contruction methods first used in Europe. These construction methods were used to not only make great structures but to identify with their families heritage. As we drove across Wisconsin we took note on many of the structure styles below. On top of heritage many of barn style identified what type of farming the property owner was involved in. The decline in farming throughout Wisconsin is becoming quite dramatic and consolidation to larger farms and less property is becoming the only economically viable option for the farmers of today. Although the historical silo and red painted barn were once a trend of yesterday many of these farms are being kept preserved and in some cases restored as a type of art heritage throughout Wisconsin. Take a chance to find the constructive quality in each of the different barns below.

In most cases barns have tended to be red, this was because red was the cheapest paint for farmers to purchase back in the day. This tradition is still lived on regardless of building materials. In some caases new farms that are made of metal, such as one below, is still representing the red barn tradition.

In order to try and represent the farming tradition that Wisconsin used to be known for, the introduction of barn quilts over the past few years has been growing in popularity. These "quilts" are of all geometric designs and are usually hung underneath the top truss of the barns roof.

 

Photo Source: Corrin Turkowitch

Photo Source: Chelsie Leslie



Photo Source: Corrin Turkowitch

 

Photo Source: Chelsie Leslie

 

Modern day farm consolidation
Photo Source: Chelsie Leslie