Athens State Hospital Cow Barn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Athens State Hospital Cow Barn
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View from north
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 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Location | Southwest of Athens, Ohio, off U.S. Route 33 |
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| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Built | 1914 |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival, Georgian Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 78002003 |
| Added to NRHP | April 25, 1978 |
The Athens State Hospital Cow Barn is a special old building in Athens, Ohio, United States. It used to be a barn where cows lived and were milked for the nearby state hospital. Today, it's a historic site and has been turned into an art gallery called the Dairy Barn Arts Center.
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A Historic Barn in Ohio
The Athens State Hospital Cow Barn is an important agricultural building. It is located on the grounds of what used to be a large state hospital. This barn is one of several farm buildings that were part of the hospital's operations.
Why Was the Barn Built?
The Athens State Hospital first opened in 1874. For many years, the hospital bought milk from a local dairy farm. However, by the early 1900s, this arrangement became difficult. So, in 1912, the hospital decided to buy the dairy farm itself.
Two years later, in 1914, the cow barn we see today was built. This was a time when the hospital complex was growing a lot. Many buildings from the early 20th century are still standing there. The cow barn was designed with a style called Colonial Revival architecture. This style was popular at the time.
What Does the Barn Look Like?
The barn is a long building made of concrete. Some parts of its walls are covered with shingles. It has a strong concrete foundation. The roof is a special shape called a gambrel roof, and it's covered with slate.
You can see three towers on the very top of the roof. There are also dormer windows that stick out from the lower part of the roof. These windows are spaced out evenly. A large entrance is in the middle of the longest side of the building. On each side of this entrance, there are six window-filled sections, called bays.
A Special Place in History
In 1978, the old cow barn was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it was recognized as an important historical place. It qualified because of its role in local history and its unique architecture.
Later, in 1980, much of the state hospital complex was also listed as a historic district. However, the cow barn was not included in that larger district. This is because it is located about half a mile away from the main hospital buildings.
The barn is no longer used for farming. Instead, it has been transformed into an art gallery. It is now known as the Dairy Barn Arts Center, a place where people can enjoy art.
