While at Four Mills Barn
Little remains to remind us that cows, bulls, draft horses, and even goats lived in
stalls behind each of the barn's Dutch doors. Pigeons were kept upstairs. Haychutes, feed
boxes, and stanchions are gone, but signs of its original uses are still abundant.
Go outside to look at the second level. The circular and arched louvers were for
ventilation. Loose hay was piled on the floor. Doors and window allowed more efficient
drying and reduced the chance of spontaneous combustion.
The wing to the right contained bedding straw. The original windvane above the cupola
is now green with age. A much larger cupola and windvane crowned the central rood. They
were removed because the rood leaked.
Gates in the stone walls allowed animals and wagons to move easily in and out of the
barnyard. The second owner kept pigs beyond the wall where the Pine trees are.
From the driveway, examine the carpentry above the over-hanging roof. The wood siding
and shingles surrounding the date stone are all original. The attached garage stored
wagons, carts, and other farm machinery. The building next door on Morris Road is the
frame and stone house where the farmer resided.
Or make a stop in the office and pick up the key to the bird observatory.
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