Barns & Outbuildings - Town of Chemung
Please check back periodically while I compile an album of old Barns and Outbuildings from the Town of Chemung. Click on photo to enlarge it
The Town of Chemung was and still is a large farming community. There are less small family farms today, but the barns that remain gives us a little insight into the past. Just as we have garages for our cars or a driveway in which to park it, almost every family and home had at least one buggy/cutter/wagon and horse, even if they weren't farmers and thus they needed out buildings for the livestock. Cows and chickens were another resource families couldn't live without.
Photos of "Tobacco Barns" can be located in the gallery below the "Old Barns and Outbuildings".
Clicking on a photo will enlarge it.
Clicking on a photo will enlarge it.
Tobacco Barns popped up in the area in the mid to late 1800's. Growing tobacco was a prosperous business at one time with the fields in Chemung full of tobacco plants. The barns were an essential part of the process, allowing the tobacco leaves to dry. The sides of the building opened on hinges to allow air circulation.
As a side note: My Great Grandfather Patterson who lived in Springfield Township, PA tried growing tobacco and sent his crop by rail to his father in New York City, only to find the vein in the leaves was too dark and couldn't "fetch" a good price. Disappointing after a season of planting, growing and harvesting, I'm sure.
As a side note: My Great Grandfather Patterson who lived in Springfield Township, PA tried growing tobacco and sent his crop by rail to his father in New York City, only to find the vein in the leaves was too dark and couldn't "fetch" a good price. Disappointing after a season of planting, growing and harvesting, I'm sure.