The Persistence Foundation - Nipmoose - Corn Crib
Photographs by Constance Kheel
Slanted side walls are the Corn Crib’s most distinctive feature. The taper, which narrows a foot from top to bottom, was designed to keep the corn dry.
Two elongated, narrow rooms are framed with partition walls on both sides of the Corn Crib. The corn crib partitions, which are set about three feet from the outside walls, consist of interior plate beams, studs and siding boards.
The Corn Crib’s rooms are enclosed with boards spaced slightly apart. This provides air circulation for the corn cobs, which are susceptible to rot. An unintended consequence of the spaced boards is the delightful, and often dazzling, play of light inside the Corn Crib.
The Corn Crib’s other rooms include storage space for grain in the back bay, with a loft situated on top of it. A front entry room is flanked by the corn crib partitions. It served as a work space for shelling corn and mixing the feed for livestock.
Vermin played an important role in the design of early corn cribs. To deter rats, weasels and other animals from accessing the barn, the Corn Crib was raised above ground on stone piers strategically placed to support its frame.
The Corn Crib, which is typical of other corn cribs found in the West Hoosick area, was built on the Hadley Farm, located just a few miles from the Nipmoose Farm. The Hadley family generously donated the Corn Crib to The Persistence Foundation in 2001. It was subsequently disassembled and transported to the Nipmoose Farm, where it was restored and resurrected.
Visit Before and During to learn more about the Corn Crib as it was before and after its extensive restoration. To see more photographs, visit the Historic Barns of Nipmoose Gallery.