I found this picturesque farm just off Kirby Mountain Road, a wonderful dirt path that cuts through the heart of the rugged terrain of the Northeast Kingdom between East St. Johnsbury and Victory State Forest. I framed the image using another barn that, oddly enough, was standing pretty much by itself right by the side of the road.
Have you ever wondered why so many barns in New England are red? Well, in the old days, there were no commercial paint products, so farmers would brew up their own concoctions to try to seal the wood and make it last as long as possible. A common formula began with a base of linseed oil, to which various additives were added, including rust, which helps retard the growth of fungi and moss. Today, farmers can paint their barns any color they like, but they tend to be a traditional lot, and red has remained by far the most popular choice.
Have you ever wondered why so many barns in New England are red? Well, in the old days, there were no commercial paint products, so farmers would brew up their own concoctions to try to seal the wood and make it last as long as possible. A common formula began with a base of linseed oil, to which various additives were added, including rust, which helps retard the growth of fungi and moss. Today, farmers can paint their barns any color they like, but they tend to be a traditional lot, and red has remained by far the most popular choice.