Traditional Oak Outbuildings

Barns

• The primary outbuildings on a traditional farmstead were a variety of barns and other structures for housing livestock. Early barns were often made from hand-hewn oak logs. Later, as oak lumber became available, barns became framed structures.

Sheds

• A variety of oak-framed sheds were present on farmsteads. These included tool sheds, wagon sheds and sheds for other machinery. Often, sheds were simple square or rectangular structures with slanted or gabled roofs.

Domestic Outbuildings

• Farmsteads and even town residences contained a variety of traditional domestic outbuildings. In the past, where oak lumber was readily available, domestic outbuildings made from oak became common. These included outhouses (or privies), summer kitchens, ice houses, smokehouses and spring houses.