Before even uploading the very first picture in this post, I knew that this post belonged in a very special category.
#GEMS fit this post to a tee by definition alone.
Having taken pictures of this barn back in November 2018, my intention was to record the dismantling of this once proud structure, as Mother Nature brought it to its demise.
With the last two years going by at the speed of light, I found myself in a state of disbelief as I came upon these pictures.
Where had the last 25 months gone to?
This thought inspired me to go and see how the past several years had treated this structure.
I can remember approaching the old barn and silo the first time. I stopped a ways off to take this very first picture.
Even though it felt like it was just yesterday, my first glimpse on this occasion told me that the elements were continuing to take their toll.
I had expected this, but I was still a little alarmed at what I was seeing.
The entire roof to the silo had collapsed inside itself.
Just a few years earlier, the roof was still atop the massive cylinder where hay was once stored.
During my first visit, I wondered what those openings in the walls of the silo were for? I also admired the banding system that was used to hold the building together.
I later found out that the windows were there to allow for ventilation in the stairwell of the silo.
As the stored vegetation was consumed by the milk cows, the farmer would be able to check the amount of feed that was left, by viewing it from different levels.
When I took this picture several years ago, I fully expected that the top half of the gable end of the barn would be lying in the road within months. Take a good look at the height of the tree. The very top of it is just below the main support that has detached from the sidewall
In a few short years, the top of the tree has grown above the main beam, and the beam seems to be leaning out further.
That's why the gable end of this once grand structure has not fallen to the ground.
I wonder how long this section will remain suspended above the road. It's strange that the decaying material used for constructing this building, wood, is now supported by a young sapling, still vibrant with life.
The craftsmen that had to be involved with erecting this barn had to be highly skilled.
The Widow's Peak and the railing system used to move bails of hay still look in pretty good condition.
Two years ago, this side was not looking too good,
and things were only deteriorating further.
This photo was taken from the outside, through one of the gaping holes in the side of the barn, from the roadside.
The chair was still in the same position two years later. I wondered when the last time was that a person had stepped inside. The floor joists and flooring had crumbled further, but everything else seemed unchanged.
On my previous outing, I decided not to enter the barn, because I felt as though it could collapse at any time.
Realizing that this condition would only worsen, and the entire barn may not be erect for much longer, I decided to throw caution to the wind and entered the building.
Once inside I moved right along, snapping picture after picture, waiting for something to fall on my skull. Even though 
I was kind of asking myself that same question.
This photo told me two stories, one, the time and skill required to build this barn using this type of joinery, must have consumed lots and LOTS of man-hours. The notching you see in these beams was done without power tools.
The second thing that was so apparent was that the constant freezing and defrosting of the earth's crust had heaved this barn. All of the joints that had once melded together as one were now displaced beyond repair. Timber that had once fit together like a 20,000 piece puzzle was coming unglued.
As I investigated further, the extent of the decay, which took no time off, only became more apparent.
Even the largest pieces of timber couldn't withstand the wrath of Mother Nature.
As I headed for the exit at the rear of the barn, a few chills ran up my spine.
Knowing that if I didn't enter this soon to be tomb, much of what I was witnessing wouldn't have been possible.
That thought helped abate my nervousness, allowing me to snap a few more pics.
Last time around I didn't venture to the back of the barn. From this vantage point, being able to move about 75 yards from the barn, I was able to capture the size of it all. From the rear, things didn't look as bad, but that was only a mirage.
Out of all the photos taken over the past two years, this one is my favorite. #photography
The setting was so natural, no adjustments were needed. #nature.
In the previous picture, that little spot at the very peak caught my eye.
After zooming in I realized that what I thought may have been an old wasp's nest was in fact a pully system. The farmers must have used it to get the hay to the second floor of the barn.
Working my way towards the front once again, it saddened me to see the disfigurement that this once grand structure was enduring.
Both on my way in and out of the barn my eyes quickly scanned the area, looking for a staircase that would get me to the second floor. Not being able to find a way to the second floor, I took the next two pictures through the rotten floorboards.
From what I could see, the roof looked to be the soundest part of the entire barn.
I do believe that all of the lumber is Red Cedar, if so the lumber in the roof is worth $1,000s.
Many of these old structures are so valuable that new businesses have sprung up here and there that specialize in reclaimed wood.
These companies will put a bid in on an old barn. With many of these buildings just left for ruin, and with many of the old-time farmers just barely hanging on, waving just a few hundred dollars in the farmer's face is all that it requires to have him jump on the deal.
Reclaimed lumber is becoming such a valuable commodity, that my estimate for the value of the wood from this barn is worth well over $100,000.00
THE RICH GET RICHER AND THE POOR GET POORER
This artifact caught my attention just before I was exiting the building.
I blew up one of the pictures I had taken to see if I could read the writing.
I came up with this A F Klinzinger CO, and then I came up with this.
Agromatic Inc. began more than 110 years ago in 1898 as Klinzing Manufacturing in St. Cloud, WI. August F. Klinzing was the founder. He was an important innovator & inventor of early barn equipment. Mr. Klinzing earned more than 15 patents with his various inventions such as manure carriers, stanchions, cow drinking cups, and barn cleaners.
In more recent times the company has taken the trade name "Agromatic" and has been run as a division of the A.F Klinzing Co. which was owned and managed by Dave Hoppman. Mr Hoppman owned and managed Agromatic for more than 38 years.
In 2010, Agromatic was purchased by a long time employee, Dean Birschbach. Dean started out as Shipping Manager and worked most recently as a Territory Sales Manager in Eastern Wisconsin. The company is now known as Agromatic, Inc.
Agromatic's headquarters are in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, but we have dealers throughout the United States and Canada.
Agromatic strives to supply farmers with high quality equipment at an affordable price.
https://agromatic.net/history/
I still don't know what this apparatus was used for, but I will investigate further now that I have a phone # for the outfit.
Knowing that this once-majestic barn is beyond ever being reconstructed, makes me sad.
Also, knowing what could have been done but wasn't, makes me angry. With some TLC these grand structures would have continued to embellish the landscape of UpState NY for future generations.
Here are just a few pictures of a barn that was in need of some repairs. I was lucky enough to be a part of this project.
With the old stone foundation collapsing and the ramp to the barn showing the strain from years of hay wagons crossing its path, it was time to have some fun.
Working in harmony with another gentleman, we were able to reconstruct the entrance to the barn in six days.
After removing the old stone foundation, replacing it with these very large blocks, and nearing completion of the new entrance, I could almost hear the old barn let out a sigh, and whisper the words Thank You.
Many emotions embraced me when I returned to take a look at the scope of what we had accomplished.
At least I was able to be involved with the restoration of this regal, old revitalize edifice!
Projects like this bring community members closer. Hopefully, in a short period of time that will be able to occur once again! 🤞
It gives me so much pleasure to utilize this building as was intended, so many years ago.
I can feel this man's presence every time I meander up the road. This is Uncle Louie, the steward of this magical piece of dirt until he passed.
Uncle Lou is seven eight, as farm-mom corrected me while proofreading, guarantees that the farm and all of its structures will be watched over as if he was still around.
If it were not for this character of a man, I'm sure my life would be very different.
Uncle Lou is why we bought our little piece of heaven 40 years ago.
I have always felt a special connection to him.
You may find this strange, I know I did. He passed on my birthday, only hours after I had visited him.
