Barn Cupolas

M Nut · Apr 25, 2013

I am wondering if there is a certain time period where old barns had cupolas installed on them. My barn was built between 1900 and 1910. Have made the decision to invest the money and have it redone this summer with new steel siding, roof, doors, and vinyl windows. It will hopefully look new again and last for the rest of my lifetime. I'd like to have a cupola installed as I like the looks of them, but am wondering if they were used during the time period of 1900-1910. To my knowledge this barn never had one, and any older generation people from my family who may know are all gone. I don't want to buy one, restore it, and pay to put it on if it isn't correct for the time period.
Thanks

Anonymous-0 · Apr 25, 2013

The barn at my parents place was built in 1897. It does not have a cupola. It has windows in the sidewalls at the peak.

caseyc · Apr 25, 2013

The original barn on my farm was built in 1917 and no, it didn't have one. It burned in 1937. The new one was built in 1938 and it has one. I'd say install one if you like them. I like mine. I have a wind vane on mine and it still works!

Casey in SD

oj · Apr 25, 2013

The barn on our place (built we think in 1913) doesn't have copolas right now, but we have pictures from 1959 and 1946 that both show it with cupolas. The boxed in vent work is still inside the building, and i hope to put cupolas back on when we redo the siding (the roof has been steel for more than 20 years already).

hd6gtom · Apr 25, 2013

dads Barn built in 1906 had them, I've seen old ones saved and sold at sales, they bring a premium price.

W_B · Apr 25, 2013

My 1906 barn never had one, used gable end vents only.

Billy NY · Apr 25, 2013

They used to be common around here, not all barns had them but this place is around that era and did, seems the larger barns had these. The barn on the left was mortise and tenon framed timber, the barn on the right was more conventional lumber, but still dates back to the early 1900's I believe, might be called a belfry, had to be for ventilation, pigeons liked to roost in these things.

Sorry about the double photo !

M Nut · Apr 25, 2013

What is a premium price out of curiosity? I have located several different ones in decent shape for $150-$300. These are metal and just need a good coat of good quality paint.

fordfarming · Apr 25, 2013

built my barn in 2009 and i put them on mine

rabbit-1 · Apr 25, 2013

Other than decorative, were they really of any value? Air circulation, possibly?

Dave Sherburne NY · Apr 25, 2013

FILs barn had a large cupola on it. Wooden ductwork ran down both sides of the barn through the haymow and into the stable area where it branched off and headed toward each end of the barn with intakes spread out the length of the barn. Before electricity and the large fans you see in barns these days this was how the moisture was removed from the stable.

gene bender · Apr 25, 2013

They were for ventilation for various reasons like barn full of animals in the winter help cure har and if you like them by all means do it they are neat besides adds class to an old barn. Glad you are taking care of it too many great old barns are just falling down many could be used for lots of stuff.

Fordfarmer · Apr 25, 2013

80' of my barn's 120' dates to 1917, when it was rebuilt after getting flattened by a tornado. It's had cupolas since it was new in 1914. Guys putting the steel roof on about 10 years ago hoped I'd let them take the cupolas off... no way!

NEKS · Apr 25, 2013

My son said his 5 year old son ask why some barns had a chicken on top. Going to sit down with him and explain to him why they were up there.

Barn Cupolas

M Nut

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Anonymous-0

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caseyc

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oj

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hd6gtom

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W_B

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Billy NY

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M Nut

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fordfarming

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rabbit-1

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Dave Sherburne NY

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gene bender

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Fordfarmer

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NEKS

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