Old Barns in the New World: Reconstructing History - Softcover

Babcock, Richard W.; Stevens, Lauren R.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0936399791 ISBN 13: 9780936399799

Publisher: Countryman Press, 1996

Synopsis

Why would one man work to save buildings that have outlived their practical function in our society? Old Barns in the New World answers that question as it chronicles the life and work of Richard Babcock, America's leading barn restorer and historian.

A barn door is a gateway to our colonial past, and anyone who has ever marveled at 12-inch hand hewn beams pegged together centuries ago will love this book. Part personal quest, part historical survey, and part armchair adventure through the lore of American barns, Old Barns in the New World is a must for barn lovers and history buffs alike! Richard Babcock and his sons have used original colonial tools and methods to move, renovate, and restore literally dozens of barns throughout the United States. Lauren Stevens is an acclaimed author and conservationist who has written several books including Hikes and Walks in the Berkshire Hills (Berkshire House), Most Excellent Majesty: A History of Mount Greylock (Berkshire House), and others.

About this title

From the Back Cover

Richard Babcock Reconstructs History

In the annals of architectural restoration, the story of Richard Babcock is unique, just as are the barns he has saved from the bulldozer of decay

Born in Western Massachusetts and reared on a farm, Richard Babcock learned from this grandfather to appreciate the importance of New England's oldest barns, built three hundred years ago by farmers using techniques they brought with them to the New World. Even more important, Babcock has learned to dismantle, move, and rebuild these barns, using these very same techniques. Over the years, he has built up a fine collection of such ancient barns, both on his own property in Hancock, Massachusetts, and elsewhere -- at Philipsburg Manor, Macomber Farm, the Wolf Trap Performing Arts Center, and for individuals who appreciate these fine structures.

In the course of building barns and training his sons and others in the time-honored techniques, Babcock has explored the history of the barns themselves, leading him to controversial conclusions about the dates and nationalities of the earliest settlers of the Northeast and the reliance of some on slave labor. In a book illustrated with photographs and filled with fascinating detail, this is Babcock's story and the story of the buildings he loves best.

"A master of barn building and barn lore revitalizes for us the central role of these great creaking structures in American history. Intertwined in this fascinating account is the life -- both triumphant and bitter -- of Richard Babcock. After reading this unforgettable book, you will never pass old barns again without knowing about the people who built them, the uses to which they were put, and the landscape around them."

-James MacGregor Burns

Richard W. Babcock lives among his barns in Hancock, Massachusetts, but travels extensively to inspect, dismantle, and rebuild old structures. Co-author Lauren R. Stevens has published five books on environmental topics.

About the Author

Lauren R. Stevens is the author of several books, including The Berkshire Book, Hikes & Walks in the Berkshire Hills and Old Barns in the New World. He's a contributing writer to numerous periodicals, including The Berkshire Eagle, and he founded The Advocate in 1981. He has lived in the Berkshires for more than 40 years.

Edition details

• Publisher: Countryman Press
• Publication date: 1996
• ISBN 10: 0936399791
• ISBN 13: 9780936399799
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 191