Here’s a progress report on the Amen Farm barn, a landmark since 1850 that was razed by its new owners and is in the process of an extraordinary reconstruction by local craftsmen and others.
As you can see from the above image taken Sunday, the new barn will retain a sense of the old red one that advertised the farm with huge white signage – that is, we’ll be reminded of the old barn when the barn’s original-looking sliding door is closed. However, when that door is slid to the right, it becomes clear that no more goats and chickens will going in and out of that structure, as in the old days:
The structure has been expanded and contains large glass doors for an apparent “great room” of some type; people will be able to go in and out and enjoy the site’s views from both sides of the building. Other obvious upgrades include clapboard siding (instead of shakes), a metal roof (instead of asphalt shingles), and different small window configurations.
Although the new foundation will be obvious from the outside, the full basement that it contains will not. Nor will the exercise room, sauna, steam shower, wine cellar, and storage area that reportedly are being built in that basement. That storage area there probably is not for grain. (Images taken in Brooklin, Maine, on March 13 [door closed] and 14 [door open], 2022.)