Early Maine Photography

Dotting the landscape of mid-nineteenth century Maine were large new barns, such as the one under construction in this circa 1860-70 tintype, which reflected the changing building technology and changing agricultural practices of the period. While exhibiting traditional braced frame construction with a rafter-purlin roof, the framing members are circular sawed, as are the piles of boards in the background waiting to sheath the building. From a cost standpoint, circular sawed lumber made possible the large barns required by the emerging dairy industry in the post-Civil War period.