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 very old farm building located in Athens, Ohio, United States. It was once part of a large hospital complex. This special building is now considered a historic site because of its history and unique design.
A Hospital's Farm History
The Athens State Hospital was started in 1874. It was built to help people with mental health needs. At first, the hospital bought milk from a local farmer. But this became difficult over time.
In 1912, the hospital decided to buy the farm itself. This way, they could produce their own milk. Two years later, in 1914, the cow barn was built. It was placed near the old farmhouse. This was a time when many new buildings were added to the hospital.
What the Barn Looks Like
The cow barn is made mostly of concrete. It also has some shingles on its walls. The roof is covered with slate and has a special shape called a gambrel roof. You can see three small towers on top of the roof. There are also windows sticking out from the lower part of the roof.
The main entrance is in the middle of the long side of the building. On each side of the entrance, there are six sections with windows. The barn's style is called Colonial Revival. This means it looks like older American buildings.
A Historic Landmark
In 1978, the old cow barn was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of important places in the United States. The barn was chosen because of its role in local history. Its special architecture also made it important.
Later, in 1980, much of the hospital area became a historic district. However, the cow barn was not included. This was because it is about half a mile away from the main hospital buildings.
Today, the barn is no longer used for farming. Instead, it has been turned into an art gallery. It is now known as the Dairy Barn Arts Center.
