SOLD OUT!!

Don’t miss this opportunity to explore two Wilton Center estate barns with historic preservation experts Ian Blackman, Ian Blackman LLC, Restoration & Preservation and Steve Bedard, Bedard Preservation & Restoration.

Pictured: The Keller Family Barn..

Blackman and Bedard will lead attendees on a guided tour of the Keller Family Barn, an impressive five-story estate barn built by the Newell Family in 1890 adjacent to their 1800 Federal-style house. The barn has many unique features not often seen in New Hampshire barns. Participants will explore everything from the magnificent cupola with incredible views, and the unusual water collection system with metal-lined wooden cistern in the hayloft and huge concrete cistern in the basement, to the tack room with beadboard walls and built-in cabinet with multi-paned sliding glass doors, and the standing stalls for draft horses with a built-in hidden gutter system. This barn is experiencing water problems associated with its hillside location, so common drainage issues and solutions will be discussed as well. 

Pictured: The Ebenezer Rockwood Barn.

Participants will then gather at the Ebenezer Rockwood Barn just down the road. This early Yankee barn is part of what was once a 600-acre estate established in 1784 by Dr. Rockwood after being invited to set up a medical practice in Wilton because there was no physician in town. The barn has an interesting story to tell but its history is not fully known. It appears that the frame is comprised of two 18th century barns that have been joined, or possibly just an early addition, and a truss system added at a later time on the second floor to allow the interior posts of the first floor to be removed for the use as a large carriage room. Program participants will help Blackman and Bedard read the barn frame features to understand the development of its changes over the centuries.

There will be ample time for Q&A with our experts as participants tour the barns and during the refreshments at the end of the program.

Whether you’re a barn owner or just fascinated by these historic structures, this is a not-to-be-missed event! Space is limited, so sign up today! NHPA members - $20, Non-members - $30, Membership Special (workshop + 1-year membership) - $40. To register visit www.nhpreservation.org

 Light refreshments will be offered at the end of the program.