Loyd-Field-Kress Stone Barn
This three-level stone bank barn is one of Indiana’s most significant barn treasures. A carved stone placed high within the gable end reads “… built for Z. Loyd 1835”. However written historical documents state 1827 as the construction date.
The main stone structure has walls measuring two feet in thickness. The interior of this barn is carefully hand-hewn and pegged, possibly Chestnut. In the lower level one can see the three huge unspliced beams, which are around 60 feet in length. The second level is an open hayloft. Entry to this level is through the large door visible on the right side of the barn in the painting.
This offset wagon door is a pass-through. A third wagon door is located through the gable end. Two cribs are located between the three openings. Over the top of the pass-through are several wooden pulley systems used to lift wagons to the third level of the barn, the upper hayloft. Other pulley systems located overhead were used to assist in filling the cribs.
A catwalk over the pass-through provides access to the upper loft. Some of the boards in the upper loft floor measure over 25 inches in width. The barn has five large louvered vents and one large cupola on the gable ridge. Later a shed-roofed barn was added. This addition is visible in the painting and is two levels. The lower level is divided into stalls with Dutch doors; some of the doors still have wooden hinges.
Finding and then painting this barn was an unforgettable and extensive adventure. When I finally was able to set up my supplies and oil paint, it took me three mornings and one afternoon to capture it on canvas. I have many stories surrounding these three days. It was October 2008, a beautiful time of year. I painted an 18 x 36 inch canvas.
This barn painting made possible, in part, by the Indiana Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
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.
