This picture sits above my computer; my brother and I found it at our local library last spring. It’s our barn at the farm where we grew up. My parents purchased the farm in 1957 and we took possession January 1, 1958. The farm was known as The Old Higgins Place.
In the picture, the barn looks pretty new so we assume this picture was taken shortly after it was built. In the picture are some cattle, horses, and chickens if you look really close. For those of you not familiar with barn terminology… this is a bank barn, either built into the side of a hill or constructed with a bank of dirt so there was access at different levels.
It was a pretty cool place for kids to hang out. Under the hill leading up to the top level (called the haymow) was a small room. In the picture the white horse is standing in front of a small window which allowed light in that small room. In that room, we would place baby calves when they were weaned from their mother. One of my jobs was to mix the milk replacer in a bucket which had a large nipple attached. I would then attempt to feed the calves, not an easy task for an adult, let alone a ten year old girl. The baby calves were always starving and eager to receive the nourishment so they would just about attack me and the bucket (which had an attachment that allowed it to be hooked over the wooden gate.) Many a bucket of milk was knocked off the fence and spilled. I loved that little room. It was filled with straw to keep the calves clean and dry and it was just the perfect place for a young girl to play and pretend.
Retired Ruth 
I didn’t see many barns like that in Alberta while I was growing up. But we used to play in the haymow. I haven’t heard that word for so many years, it was almost strange to say the world aloud. I remember playing some dare game and one of the girls ended up with a pitchfork tine through her leg! Someone was irresponsible about leaving it in the wrong place.
I enjoy your blog a great deal. I’ve been doing life this summer and spending more time with people with skin on than on the blogosphere. Therefore, I pop in and around and won’t always comment due to time. I haven’t learned about “concise” yet! 😀
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Thanks. It is nice to get some feedback. I know it takes awhile to get people to follow and some times I wonder if I am wasting my time. I enjoy your blogs, too.
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Oh, don’t stop, please.You’ve only just begun! It’s a pleasure to read good writing of good stories that incorporates a bit of history.
it’s important that this sort of information be shared. Just think of how blogs will change the role of anthropologists in the future! Will they still need to get on their hands and knees in the dirt?
If you leave comments on blogs you like, other bloggers will be curious about you and check you out.
However, it does mean a huge chunk of time can go to reading and commenting…I juggle continuously. There’s no way I can read and comment everyday on all the blogs to which I subscribe.
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Thanks for the tip. I am finding that is can become a commitment!
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I’ve always admired these kind of barns…but, never knew what they were called…interesting!…mkg
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such nice memories
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