 |
| May 05, 2024 |
Welcome! Click here to Login
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Click to visit the
Official Town Site
|
|
|
|
|
|
General News: Two Old Barns to be Moved, Rebuilt
|
| The former blacksmith shop on Hudson Street. Photo by Phil Hopp. |
|
| The second barn is tucked behind the first one. Photo by Phil Hopp. |
August 09, 2007
Two old barns, both about 100 years old, will be moved from their present location on Hudson Street and rebuilt on the property of a Cornwall resident in order to save them from being torn down.
The barns sit on the property being developed into residential and commercial spaces by Burns and Whalen Contractors. Formerly the site of the village of Cornwall-on-Hudson’s department of public works, the barns were used for many years to store equipment.
Doug Cooper, of the Cornwall Historical Society, has been working with Burns and Whalen to survey the barns and plan the move. Cooper, who earlier dismantled and rebuilt a barn that had stood near Munger Cottage, says that he believes in the importance of preserving historic buildings throughout the town.
“We are not restoring them,” Cooper notes, “we are preserving them and they are very useful structures.”
Fellow historical society member Jay Ziegler has videotaped both structures inside and out as a record of how the barns now look. Cooper has photographed and measured the interiors of the barns. The dismantling will take place once the development plans for the property have been approved.
Cooper says that the barn closest to Hudson Street was built as a blacksmith shop around 1905. He says there is evidence that the second barn was once used for light manufacturing.
The cost of moving the barns will be carried by the individual who has agreed to rebuild them on his property. The unidentified individual will pay to prepare the new site and to move the pieces.
Cooper says that Burns and Whalen has been very cooperative with the historical society and notes that the developers could have done what many people do – knock down old buildings and cart the pieces away in a dumpster. These two barns look to have a longer lifespan thanks to the team effort organized by Cooper.
Photos (above right) of the barns were taken by Phil Hopp. Click on any image for a larger view.
Comments:
|
It sure is great to see that the old history is being preserved. The Cornwall Historical society serves a great duty in preservation and I know that Cornwall will benefit.
posted by tamvalley on 08/09/07 at 12:00 AM
|
|
I am very pleased to hear that these buildings are being preserved. I would like to know if they will be open to the public in any way either before or after they are moved.
Next, I'd like to see the Sherwood log cabin on Angola Road recognized as the local landmark that it is and preserved. Learn more about this local treasure in a book entitled "Making a Difference (the Story of an American Family)" by Hodges (ISBN: 0684189798)
posted by Frank Ostrander on 08/10/07 at 12:00 AM
|
|
thank you for the wonderful article on historic barns - preserving our history is of utmost importance to the Cornwall Historical Society - and to our future as well -
posted by mrose on 08/11/07 at 12:00 AM
|
|
I was very happy to see the efforts of good folks will preserve these historic structures.
Please, while Burns and Whalen could as claimed have "demolished" the buildings; that would certainly have inspired unpleasant feelings if not more drastic measures by the community.
It is in their best interest and really their obligation to our community to find an alternative. It is at anothers expense that these structures are being removed and the bottom line; Burns and Whalen will realize a very, very nice profit from the development of the land; a STEAL at the price the village sold it.
posted by cpcreative on 08/12/07 at 12:00 AM
|
Add a Comment:
Please signup or login to add a comment.
|
 |
|
|
|
