Fixing a hole in the old barn.

We were told that the barn is

approximately 250 years old.  If we are going to maintain our historical landscape, shouldn't we maintain our properties?  The barn played an integral part in early American life.  How sad that this one was left to rot.

Before we arrived, critters were coming and going through the opening in the barn. The gutters had fallen off long ago and the water had severely damaged the side of the barn. The lower portion of barn board was replaced first.

After the rotted studs were removed and new ones put in place, a sheet of plywood was cut to size and hung.  Brand new shingles were nailed over the plywood, matching them up with the old shingles as much as possible.  Our goal is to re-shingle the entire barn one day.

Shingling isn't difficult but some may consider it tedious work.

A project like this can't be done all at once.  You have to pick and choose the repair direction you take.  

As we have continued with the project, the ivy has been removed from the siding.  The roots get under the shingles and cause havoc.  Fixing the barn is a large project but it's a labor of love.  Barns are special.  The State of Connecticut completed a barn survey that resulted in $148,687 in grants being awarded.  You can see the results here.  There may be grants available for your barn repair.  Check with your local historical society or preservation society to see if your barn may be eligible for one.