09/01/2026
A lovely visit with my sister Kathleen Darroch today reframed my allocation of time to research the storied past of Stone Hollow Farm and our impressive 40 foot four story New England gambrel barn! The broad end of the barn's stone foundation faces west to absorb the prevailing winds and storms as a buffer, to shield the stalls housing cattle and horses. The bank side to the east caught the morning sun and was beneficial for loading the harvest of hay and grain. The south side caught the most sun to warm the barn and in later years windows were added to raise chickens. The north side faces the farm house as the shortest distance to reach the barn but also lent itself to a breeze blowing through the first level to cool the animals. Evidence of the past is everywhere. Beams and pottery shards and the way the sun shines and the wind blows.