barn

Barns are agricultural buildings on farms used for storing crops and feed, housing livestock, and sheltering equipment. They combine spaces such as threshing floors, stalls, and haylofts to support farming operations from harvest through animal care and maintenance.

Traditional barns are timber-framed or post-and-beam structures with large interior clearances. Roofs vary by region, including gable, gambrel, and monitor styles, often with cupolas or vents to improve ventilation. Construction materials range from timber and brick to stone and metal siding, reflecting local resources and climate. Interior layouts may feature a ground-level work area and a hayloft above, with stalls or pens along the sides.

Originating in medieval Europe, barn design evolved with agricultural practices and technology. The English barn, Dutch barn, and American barn represent regional variants, adapting to crops, livestock, and farming methods. In the 19th and 20th centuries, mechanization influenced larger, more open interior spaces and the rise of specialized dairy, granary, or equipment barns.

Today many barns remain in active use, while others have been repurposed as residences, storage facilities, or venues. Preservation and adaptive reuse have become common in areas with historic rural landscapes.

Barns play a prominent role in cultural imagery of rural life and landscape. They also present considerations for energy efficiency, moisture control, and long-term maintenance to protect stored materials and livestock.