Casey Knigga Hay Press Barn
The two-level barn, with a stone-edged earthen approach, is a hay press barn dating from 1853 and is a stunningly restored treasure.
The barn was rapidly deteriorating when it was rescued in 2006. It was painstakingly disassembled, each timber and each foundation stone carefully labeled, moved and reassembled in its new location. The old hay press was restored as well, and is now one of very few presses in working order. Some of the oak timbers in the press date from the mid 1600s. Hay press demonstrations take place at designated dates and times throughout the year.
The hay press is a large and heavy mechanism weighing nearly 9500 pounds. It extends from the dirt floor of the lower level into the peak area. In short, it presses loose hay into bales by means of a heavy weight that is raised up inside the mechanism and then dropped onto the hay.
Prior to and especially during the Civil War, there was a demand for hay. Pressed bales transported on riverboats were a profitable venture for Ohio County farmers.
It took several painting sessions to complete this 18 x 36 inch oil painting. The setting was extremely beautiful and the complicated barn required special attention to grasp. I painted in May and also in June 2009.
All the barn paintings are for sale. Please contact Gwen to find out if the painting(s) you are interested in are sold or available.
