Dievendorf Barn

Dutch Barn, 1790

Measures 47’ x 45’

The huge anchorbeams or ankerbalken that span above the threshing floor are the signature of the Dutch barn. Where they join the purlin posts, they are typically through tenoned and wedged on the back side with huge braces preventing deformation in these H-bents. Grain was stored above the anchorbeams on loose poles, heaped to the rafters where it dried prior to threshing. Large purlin plates connect these H-bents and support the centers of the roof rafters. Long diagonal members up to 6x8 inches in cross section provide longitudinal wind bracing to this central core. At each end of the threshing floor are large wagon doors, often hung on wooden hinges.