Harnsberger Octagonal Barn facts for kids
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Harnsberger Octagonal Barn
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 Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Grottoes, Virginia |
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| Area | 1.5 acres (0.61 ha) |
| Built | 1867 |
| Built by | William Evers |
| Architectural style | Octagonal barn |
| NRHP reference No. | 82004541 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | July 8, 1982 |
The Harnsberger Octagonal Barn, also known as the Mt. Meridian Octagonal Barn, is a very special building. You can find it near Grottoes, Virginia. It was built around 1867. This barn is unique because it's likely the only one of its kind in Virginia.
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The Harnsberger Octagonal Barn
This barn has eight sides, which is why it's called "octagonal." This building style was more common in the Midwest United States after the American Civil War. It wasn't as popular in Virginia at that time.
What is an Octagonal Barn?
The idea for octagonal (eight-sided) buildings became popular in 1853. A man named Orson Squire Fowler wrote a book about it. His book was called A Home For All, or the Gravel Wall and Octagon Mode of Building. He thought these shapes were efficient and strong.
Building a Unique Barn
The Harnsberger Octagonal Barn was built for Robert Samuel Harnsberger. This happened in 1867. Robert's brother, Stephen, had already built an octagonal house nearby in 1856.
Building the barn was a bit tricky. The builders had some trouble putting it together. They even needed help from other carpenters to finish the job.
How the Barn Was Used
This barn is a wood-frame building. It works like a traditional "bank barn." A bank barn is built into the side of a hill. This allows you to enter the upper level from the ground on one side.
The Harnsberger barn has a central area for wagons. Hay lofts are on either side. The lower level was used for cattle. Their stalls were arranged in a line, not in a circle.
A Historic Landmark
Because of its unique design and history, the Harnsberger Octagonal Barn is very important. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 8, 1982. This means it's recognized as a significant historical site.
