I've been continuing with my volunteer work on behalf of the Preservation League of NYS, to photograph their current Seven to Save list, the seven most-threatened historic properties in the state. The current list includes a couple of categories of buildings, including what are known as the Wells Barns. John T. Wells patented a truss system for barns in the 1880s that used tall pointed laminated arches to create wide-open interiors; in a break from traditional post and beam construction, Wells' system allowed farmers to drive their wagons directly into, and maneuver around in, the barns. The interiors really are amazing things to behold, and I had a hoot photographing a few of them the other week. Wells and his son built more than 200 of them throughout the state from the late 1880s until 1940, but fewer than 50 remain. Here's a sample, a small-ish jpg from a quick flatbed reference scan.
Attachment 179867
4x5, Sinar F2, TMAX 400
Sinaron 75mm lens
That is huge!
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