McNelly-Rexing Twin Barns
In the area known as Stevenson’s Bottoms, Arch McNelly built these two incredible barns, circa 1940. Stevenson’s Bottoms is an area of fertile farmland that lies adjacent to the meandering Squaw Creek in western Warrick County. The farm was originally called the Gold Medal Dairy Farm. Twelve farms were combined into one large multi-operation farm that included nearly 1000 acres inside a white six-board fence. They originally focused on registered Holsteins. The herd was dispersed in 1954.
The barns are mirror images of each other and the lofts are deceivingly large; each one holds upwards of 8,100 bales of hay, with room to spare, under their gambrel roofs. The barns were also used for horses: Belgium and Tennessee Walkers. Each barn held as many as 38 horses plus tack rooms and offices.
Early spring in 2005, I completed a small plein air study in oil of these two gems. Later the same year, I completed a studio oil painting using the plein air study as a guide. The barns demanded a large 18 X 36 inch canvas.
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.
