Brick-end barns are the hallmark of south-central Pennsylvania. They are often found in limestone vallies because they contian some of the finest agicultural land in the county. This meant that farmers could afford brick as opposed to wooden barns.
WHY DO I NEED TO UNDERSTAND BRICK-END BARNS??
"When we understand the purposes of a barn, and how it is laid out and used, we have gained an insight into the operation of the farm itself, for the barn is the heart of the farm."--J. William Stair as quoted in Brick End Barns of The Pennsylvania Dutch; December, 1945 issue.
The designs on brick-end barns took the form of simple geometrical figures which are thought to have been used with symbolic purposes. The builder could use the figure singally or in combination with itself or other figures to create different variations. For instance, diamond shape figures were combined to suggest an unfolding lily. Another example would be when a builder used two triangles to form "a sheaf of wheat" or an "hour glass" figure. There are 7 main types of barn designs. They are: 1) the simple square or rectangle; (symbolic of a "bushel measure"). 2) the "sheaf of wheat" or "hour glass figure"; (symbolic of the fact that farmers dried wheat in the upper part of thier barn,and,also, symbolic of thier time left on earth). 3) The diamond, used horizontally or vertically, either singaly or in a combination of four; (symbolic of the unfolding lily). 4) a design suggestive of a wine gobblet,; (the symbolism of this figure is unknown, however, some think that it has relgious significance
relating to the taking of the sacrament at communion). 5) the triangle; (symbolic of the triune God or the Trinity). 6) The simple "X"; (not symbolic of anything, just used as a vent design). and 7) the vertical slot; (not symbolic of anything, just used as a vent design).
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