Vermont Barn Census

Preliminary Research - 2009

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Historic Agricultural Censuses

University of Vermont Barn Census Website

Hartford, Vermont 

340 Sugartop Road Bank Barn

The Town of Hartford, Vermont is located in eastern Vermont along the New Hampshire border. Within Hartford are five villages: Hartford, West Hartford, Quechee, White River Junction, and Wilder. There are also seven historic districts within Hartford: The White River Junction Historic District, Quechee Historic Mill  District, Hartford Village Historic District, Wilder Village Historic District, Jericho Rural Historic District, Christian Street Rural Historic District, and West Hartford Village Historic District. Within these historic districts is a rich agricultural history that dates back to the town's chartering in 1761. The history of Hartford is largely based on several agricultural industries that thrived through the 19th century. These industries include sheep and dairy farming, maple sugar production, and the production of woolen in mills. Unfortunately, many of these agricultural industires are no longer in operation within the Town of Hartford. However, a variety barns found within Hartford can provide us with evidence and clues about farming in this area. The information contained in this website is a result of the research that was conducted on Hartford's agricultural history and the photographs of Hartford barns that were taken during a windshield survey of the town. Together, with this research and the images of the barns, this website explores Hartford's agricultural history.

 
Franklin, VTDerby, VTBrownington, VTHinesburg, VTHuntington, VTRichmond, VTNorwich, VTHartford, VTDorset, VTManchester, VTTownshend, VTGrafton, VT

This preliminary research about barns and farm buildings in thirteen Vermont towns is offered as a public service to assist local volunteers with their efforts to learn more about the agricultural heritage of these communities. It is hoped that additional information on the history and features of these barns will be submitted by volunteers through the Vermont Barn Census project. The historical research and preliminary field documentation was conducted during the fall 2009 semester by Scott Derkacz, who worked on this particular project in Hartford and other graduate students enrolled in the Researching Historic Structures and Sites course at University of Vermont Historic Preservation Program with the assistance of local volunteers as part of the Vermont Barn Census, a statewide project of the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation, the University of Vermont Historic Preservation Program, Historic Windsor’s Preservation Education Institute, Save Vermont Barns, Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, and the Preservation Trust of Vermont. Funding support provided in part by a Preserve America grant through the National Park Service to the State of Vermont Division for Historic Preservation.