ings are not necessarguests. ily intended to stand for Old barns were built the ages. Peter and Patty to last. Look around. The Cooke were similarly common mortise-andsurprised when they did tenon construction bean engineering assesscomes stronger with age. Perhaps you’ve noticed ment of the 200-year-old the barn on Route 109 Pickering House barn the in Brookfield where the same year. roof has more holes than Although sections of shingles? It still stands. Or the house were built on the one on Route 109A scant foundation, and the in Wolfeboro. Someone barn had shifted from its started to take it down granite piers, the buildand for whatever reason, ing was generally sound. simply stopped midway. Patty gives pointed credit The remaining three for that to the original brick firewall built be- Built between 1841 and 1843, the “other” Plumer Homestead in Milton is a rare walls have stood tall for tween the house and the example of a connected farm built all at thone time. Its original barn has proved at least three winters. Not even the ridgeline bows barn. Completely intact sturdier than an addition built in the late 20 century. to snow. despite its age, the bricks Yes, New England barns are made to last, and in a region where many held the barn up even when the floor dropped eight inches the first live by the adage “Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without,” barns winter the Cooke’s owned the property. Now, after two years of extensive renovation, The Barn at Pickering built for livestock and haybales can be repurposed for new life. Want to learn more about New England barns? Read the classic Big House Inn will take on new life as a versatile event space in 2018. The original transom over the door has been refurbished, structural support House, Little House, Back House, Barn by Thomas C. Hubka. Ready to built, and HVAC and sprinkler systems added for comfort and safety. take on a project? The State of New Hampshire and the federal governRepair and structural work on the barn ceiling has been done so ex- ment have resources to help give old barns new life. A great place to start pertly that it still looks as it always has. In its new life, the threshing floor is at “Old Barn Resources” on www.nhpreservationalliance.org or go to will see dancers, and the former haylofts will accommodate up to 150 the annual Old House & Barn Expo held every March in Manchester.
If you have a water treatment system but have these water quality problems: ü Hard Water
ü Water Staining
ü Dirty, Smelly Water
ü Plumbing Problems
ü Bad Tasting Water
ü Low water pressure
ü Health Issues
ü No water
you probably need to service or upgrade your equipment!
20% OFF of your first service. $250 OFF your system upgrade. 603-641-5767 · www.secondwindwater.com home • Spring 2018 • 33