I’ve been trying to document the demise of the early American barns, which is evident all around the county where I live. In a few years, all of them will be gone; I hope someone will see my photos. It would be a shame to forget them. They are so much a part of the American story.
8
March
Americana. Documenting The Demise of Barns
by Jon Katz
Old, collapsing barns make me so sad. Houses, too.
I grieve at the loss of the barns. They were so much a part of the New England landscape where I grew up. There were some old, old, ooooooold ones. What history they must have seen, what animals they must have sheltered and welcomed into the world,what secret stolen words, festive dances and celebrations, a place of sanctuary during a need to be alone. A stop on the furtive route to Canada.All this beside being a place of everyday hard, unrelenting work. If only the boards themselves could play back everything they’ve seen. I’m grateful they are being recorded before they pass forever.
A coffee table book of American barns – I wish someone had taken pictures of all of the old camps on Lake Winnipesaukee with the wraparound porches and rocking chairs before they were torn down and replaced with mega mansions.