Which Buildings to Survey?

While conducting the census, you may come across barns or other structures that present questions on whether or not they should be included in the census. Perhaps a structure which was once a barn has been modified and now serves a non-agricultural purpose. Perhaps you come across the collapsed remains of a barn providing only the smallest evidence of the agricultural history of the structure. Should these buildings be included in the census? YES!  Some questions to consider are: Is the barn/other structure still understandable in terms of its original use? Does the structure contribute to our understanding of Vermont’s agricultural heritage?

Always remember, it is better to include a building that you’re not sure about than to leave one off that deserves to be included. The cardinal rule is: “When in doubt, include it!”

Many farm properties include newer barns and agricultural outbuildings.  They are part of the evolution of agricultural practice on the farm and can be included in the Barn Census.  The priority of the Census is historic agricultural buildings - those at least 50 years old- but you can include newer buildings if you have the time to survey them. 

The focus of the Barn Census is buildings that served an agricultural purpose.  Therefore, in-town carriage barns are not a priority for inclusion.

Make sure that you complete Census forms for each and every historic agricultural building on a property.  Each building gets its own form.  Don’t leave a property partially completed.  Newer barns are optional and may be left out. 

In the Field – What to Do

Now it’s time to hit the road and find the historic barns in your community.  On this first weekend of the Barn Census, all barns are potential candidates for inclusion.   Although it is possible that two people will independently set out this weekend to include the same property, your conversation with the owner will quickly  reveal the duplication and you can move on to another barn.  As the volunteers submit Barn Census forms recorded on August 2nd and 3rd, we will mark their locations on a map file that will be viewable on the web.  Check back for more information as it develops. 

If the Barn Census in your town is being coordinated through a local group like a historical society or grange, your group may want to start exploring the roads in a certain section of town and marking all possible Barn Census properties on a map (see previous paragraph.)  Remember, “When in doubt, include it!”  Then you can divide up the work among your group, and each member can contact the owner of ‘their’ barns and proceed with surveying them. 

The steps in your census process should probably include the following steps:

• Gather any research notes you have on the barns you will be surveying and bring them with you into the field.
•  Talk to the owner.   Explain what you’re doing.  Offer them a copy of your Letter of Introduction.  It will be most productive if the owner accompanies you for at least part of the time that you are recording information on the building, especially if you are able to go inside the barn.  Respect the owner’s wishes about where you can go on the property.  Ask questions about the age, use, history and current state of the barn and take notes on the Barn Census worksheet.    
• Photograph the structure. Include one image that shows both the front of the structure and one other side. You can also take other images that help illustrate its unique character. As you survey, you’ll be taking many photographs. Be sure to keep notes on which photos go with each structure by recording photo frame numbers on the Census worksheet.   
• Fill out the survey worksheet. (See instructions below for what to enter in each field on the worksheet.)

Field work for the Vermont Barn Census can be carried out by individuals or by groups of volunteers.  Whether you are surveying as part of a large group or on your own, it is more fun to survey in pairs.  One person could drive the car, one could mark the barns and other agricultural structures on a map.  On site, one could take the necessary photographs, and one could fill out the survey worksheet and talk to the owner.  It may be fun to rotate jobs throughout the day so that each person gets a chance to perform the various tasks.

Photographs

We ask that you take at least one photograph of each structure you record for the Vermont Barn Census. These should be taken with a digital camera set to the highest resolution practical. The first photo should include the front of the structure and at least one other side. After that, feel free to photograph whatever details catch your eye. Examples may include: architectural details, noteworthy structural components, or unique elements that give the barn or other agricultural structure its distinct character. You may also want to step back and take a wider-angle photo that places the structure “in the scene” and gives the viewer a feel for the way the structure is situated in and relates to its surrounding landscape. With the owner’s permission you may be allowed to photograph the interior of the structure. Such opportunities should be taken advantage of if possible, but may provide challenges based on the available light. You may need to open doors or windows to adequately light the interior. For most barns, 4 – 5 photos should  sufficiently illustrate the structure.

Public Relations in the Field

The Vermont Barn Census is a highly visible project which combines the efforts of governmental organizations, non-profit groups, educational institutions, and you. Due to the project’s high visibility, you may be recognized while performing the census in your community. You may be approached with questions about the Vermont Barn Census; what its purpose is, how it works, who’s involved, etc. Remember, a goal of the census is to increase awareness and discussion of Vermont’s agricultural heritage, so always be engaging, open, and honest when speaking with interested members of the public.

Some owners may have questions about your interest in their property. Again, be friendly and open and take a moment to discuss with them the goals of the Vermont Barn Census. Mention that the census seeks only to gather information in order to provide a clear picture of how many barns there are in Vermont, what type of barns they are, and what condition they are in. Always respect the property owners’ wishes as to their inclusion in the Census. If an owner does not wish their property to be included in the Census, please comply and move on to the next structure to be recorded.

The Division for Historic Preservation will provide you with a Letter of Introduction explaining the Vermont Barn Census. Print it from the website [link].  This letter can be handed out to property owners or interested members of the public to provide further background information on the census and answer questions or concerns they may have.

If a property owner or other member of the public is interested in learning more, you can direct them to Division for Historic Preservation at (802) 828-1220 or at www.historicvermont.org.

Filling Out the Barn Census Worksheet

While you’re out in your community conducting your piece of the Vermont Barn Census, the information you gather will be entered on a worksheet, which has areas for you to record your observations of, among other things, the barn or other structure’s form, materials, decoration, and related structures. Later, after you’ve filled out a worksheet for each barn you find, you’ll go to the internet and enter the information from your worksheets in to the Census form on the Vermont Barn Census website. Information on how to do that will follow. For now, let’s go over the items on the worksheet to give you a better idea of what information should be entered.

ITEM	DESCRIPTION
E-911 Street Address	This should be the address as listed on a mailbox or sign on the property. This is the most important piece of information on the form. Please make sure it is correct.
County	The name of the county in which the structure is located.
Town	The name of the town in which the structure is located.
Village	If the structure is located in a village within a town, enter that information here.
Common Name	If the farm or barn is known locally by a name other than its address, enter that information here.
VHSSS Number	If a property is already included in the Vermont Historic Sites and Structures Survey (VHSSS), enter the Survey number here. Otherwise, leave it blank.
Property Type	Choose “Barn” or other type of specialized agricultural structure. (For more information, see the Visual Glossary.)
Present Use	Indicate whether the barn or other agricultural structure is currently in agricultural use.
Style	If the barn or other structure is recognizable as one of the architectural styles listed, please mark which one. If it does not have applied decoration, mark “vernacular.”
Public Accessibility	Yes – Properties open to the public. No – Properties closed to the general public. Restricted – Properties open to individuals other than the owner but not the general public.
Agricultural Theme	The structure you’re surveying may fall into one or more agricultural themes. If so, record that information here. If you’re not sure of the theme, record that as well.
Dates Built/Modified	Indicate the date of construction as well as any major additions/modifications. If estimating, check “c.” for circa which means “about.”
Physical Condition	Good – Roof appears to be in weather-tight condition; no visible structural problems. Fair – Shows some signs of deterioration, minor roof leaks, some missing or broken parts. Poor – Obvious major roof leaks, major structural problems, extensive missing or broken parts. Ruin – A structure far beyond repair. May be collapsed or in danger of falling down.
Foundation	Material of construction. For examples, see the Visual Glossary.
Framing	Material of construction. For examples, see the Visual Glossary.
Exterior Siding	Material of construction. For examples, see the Visual Glossary.
Roof Type	Shape of the roof. For examples, see the Visual Glossary.
Roof Structure	Material of construction. For examples, see the Visual Glossary.
Roof Covering	Material of construction. For examples, see the Visual Glossary.
Additional Features	Check all that apply. See Visual Glossary.
Main Entrance	Location of the building’s main entrance. See the Visual Glossary for examples.
Approximate Dimensions	Enter the length of the front of the structure and the width (depth) of the side.
Related Structures	Other structures on the same property that are related to the primary structure being entered.
Surrounding Environment	Details of the area surrounding the structure being surveyed.
Additional Description	Any additional notes you want to include.
History and Significance	The history you’ve uncovered as it relates to the structure being surveyed.
References	The books, newspapers, interviews, etc. you used to learn the structure’s history. Give title, author, date, publisher, person and role (e.g. owner, local historian), etc. as applicable.
Recorded By	Your name.
Organization	Your group, school, club, or other organization.
Date	The date you gathered the information above.

Some Tips

You now have most of the information you’ll need to conduct a successful piece of the Vermont Barn Census. While you’re out exploring your community and recording evidence of Vermont’s agricultural heritage, here are a few other thoughts to keep in mind.

         Enjoy Yourself

We’ve said it before, but it bears repeating. The goal of the census is not only to learn more about the type and condition of barns that exist in Vermont, but to do so in a way that is fun and enjoyable. You’re helping to make an important contribution to the understanding of Vermont’s agricultural heritage; we hope you’ll have a good time while doing so.

         Speak with Members of the Community

Never hesitate to speak with individuals you may encounter while conducting your piece of the census.  Taking a moment to have a conversation will help spread awareness of the Vermont Barn Census and its goals and may even reveal barns that are off the beaten path or otherwise overlooked.

         Share with other Groups

If you get a chance, you may want to chat with other groups who are in the process of conducting their piece of the census. Doing so can help both groups learn the best ways to find barns or other agricultural structures as well as other tips on the best ways to conduct the census.

         Safety

Being aware of your surroundings will help ensure that your piece of the Vermont Barn Census is completed in a safe manner. When surveying a site, pull off  the road in a safe location. Be watchful of traffic when walking along and crossing roads.   Be very careful while walking around  barns and other agricultural buildings.  DO NOT ENTER ANY BUILDING THAT APPEARS UNSAFE.   As with many outdoor activities, be aware of things best avoided; bees, snakes, poison ivy, etc. As the saying goes, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Now that you've found some barns, see the 'Submit Your Information' section of the website for instructions on how to submit your information to the Division for Historic Preservation!

• Barn Census Worksheet (PDF). The worksheet will be your "scratchpad" while you are in the field surveying. On it you will record your observations of - among other things - a barn's type, use, materials, roof shape, associated structures, and surrounding environment.
• Visual Glossary (PDF). The Visual Glossary will be your "go-to" guide in the field and is designed to be a convenient reference source. If you come across a property type or roof shape you don't recognize, or if you see a feature and you can't recall it's name - flip through the glossary and you'll probably find the answer.

(Some of the documents listed above have color images. If you do not want to print in color, adjust your printer settings accordingly.)

A Project of the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation, University of Vermont Historic Preservation Program,
and Historic Windsor’s Preservation Education Institute, Save Vermont Barns,
Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, and Preservation Trust of Vermont

This project is funded by a Preserve America Grant through the National Park Service to the State of Vermont Division for Historic Preservation.