Years ago, I helped document a farm with a great 19th century stone and frame bank barn (a bank barn is one that is set into the side of a hill, so you can access the barn from the lower level, usually reserved for livestock, or the upper level). On the lower level, which was partially divided into stalls, I found a row old wooden sleds propped up, as if biding their time for winter and the excited children that would run, all bundled up, into the barn and fetch them for sledding. Who knows how long those sleds have been stored there, as season after season pass?
My first view of the sleds as I walked into the cool dimness of the lower level of the barn.
I grew up hurtling down hills on wooden sleds just like these – and I think some of those sleds belonged to my parents when they were children.
Instead of the barn, our sleds were stored in what we called the “bad part of the basement” (the unventilated and unfinished side), next to the hulking mass of the fuel-oil fired furnace. The furnace terrified me, and I must admit that I often preferred the round plastic sled to the wooden ones…it was more likely to glide on top of the snow, rather than sink down into it and refuse to budge.
Another view of the interior of the lower level of the barn.
Exterior view of the bank barn. Photograph by William J. Macintire.
In my youth I had plenty of experience with the snow sleds with metal runners.
The whole issue is here, the regular winter snows which we experienced have disappeared long ago from here in East Ky and the children have not experienced the speed and fun of the “wooden” sled as you refer. The sleds I used in the ‘50’s and 60’s are used as Christmas decor now. I always enjoy your posts….
In my youth I had plenty of experience with the snow sleds with metal runners.
The whole issue is here, the regular winter snows which we experienced have disappeared long ago from here in East Ky and the children have not experienced the speed and fun of the “wooden” sled as you refer. The sleds I used in the ‘50’s and 60’s are used as Christmas decor now.
ah and as it should be – BASKETBALL GOAL in the barn lot – love it – thank you
Is it still standing (if you know)?
Was it timber frame?
I don’t know if it is still standing or not – we were there in 2012. As much as one can classify barn construction (since it tends to be a mishmash of building techniques and materials), yes, it was timber frame, at least the lower level.
Bank barn! I never heard that term, but it certainly makes sense. The farm I grew up on, as well as my father, had what we called a stable built like this. Back when Woodford County was approaching its bicentennial, my sister-in-law had it documented in some publication, as it apparently represented a construction no longer used. My brother and I sold the farm almost 2 years ago, and I’m afraid it might have since been taken down. I did take photos of it around that time.
Our wonderful sleds 🛷 like these were stored in the 3 bay garage by our house, which sits at the top of a great sledding hill. There is probably such a hill near the barn shown here.
Yes. I remember that. Sleds. And beautiful barns