NH OUTLOOK, Thursday, 12/16/2004
script iconPreshow #1Hampton script iconTag Barn Dance
script iconIntro Hampton Barn script iconGoodnight
script iconHampton Barn script iconTomorrow
script iconTag Hampton Barn script iconWeb Pointer
script iconGilmanton Library script iconkey: History
script iconIntro Barn Discussion script iconkey: History
script iconDiscussion Barn script iconkey: Culture / Arts
script iconRolfe Barn script iconkey: History
script iconVisser sot script iconTonight 10:00
script iconOwner Sot script iconWEB PROMO
script iconIntro Barn Dance script iconPost Show Log


script iconPreshow #1Hampton
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Now on New Hampshire Outlook:
Preserving historic barns in the Granite State!
script iconIntro Hampton Barn
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Hello. I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to New Hampshire Outlook.
Historic Barns are slowly disappearing from the NH landscape --victims of decay, fire and, in some cases dismantled and moved to other states looking to capture a piece of New England heritage.
Changing times and new uses have rendered some of these historic structures useless and expensive for owners to maintain.
But, efforts are underway to PRESERVE New Hampshire's agricultural heritage.
We'll learn more about those changes in a moment.
But first, when new owners of a property in Hampton wanted to demolish a centuries old barn -- the local Historical Society stepped in!
Photographer Jonathan Millman was there in June when work crews and volunteers pitched in to dis-assemble the post-and-beam structure.
script iconHampton Barn
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10:18-10:20
trt:02
"Well, we're saving a 1795 barn."
11:34-11:58
:24
The new owners which have purchased the property in 2004, found that the barn was not usable for their purposes. They were going to demolish it. All structures over 50 years old in Hampton require a demolition permit that's been signed by the Heritage Commission. And the Heritage Commission in this case, brought it to the Historical society's attention, that the barn was going to be demolished. Was there a way that we could save it?"
11:59-12:12:12
trt:13
"With volunteers, and a generous donation by the new owners to cover our out-of-pocket cost, we will be able to save the pieces. And then we'll be raising money to re-erect it, hopefully in 2005."
12:45-13:10
trt:25
"It's a post and beam structure. We're referring to it as an in-town carriage barn. The bays are not the same dimension. The one that's right behind me is 14 ft. deep. And we believe that that's where they stored their carriages. The other two bays are 12 ft. wide each. So the overall structure is 38 ft. wide. It's 36 ft. deep. It's post and beam construction approximately 210 years ago."
13:12-13:25
trt:13
"Well, you can see the posts. The posts are the pieces going up. The beams are the ones that go this way. It's all made out of wood. Generally, 6x6 and 8x8 pieces of wood."
13:33-13:37
trt:04
"Holes were drilled to hold oak pegs. And that's what's held it up for 200 years."
13:56-14:04
trt:06
"Well, the great part is that these pieces of wood are 36 ft. long in one piece. You don't find that many trees these days in New Hampshire that can support that kind of construction.
14:06-14:14:24
trt:18
It's a wonderful piece of New Hampshire's history to save. We'll be using it as our farm museum at the Hampton Historical Society. And we'll, hopefully, have public events. We've had a couple of barn dances in the past as fund raisers and social events. We've never been able to use a real barn. Perhaps this will be our opportunity."
script iconTag Hampton Barn
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The Hampton Historical Society hopes to raise about 60-thousand dollars for the project.
If you would like to help -- head to our website NHPTV-dot-org/slash Outlook for a link to the society's website where you'll find more information.
script iconGilmanton Library
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The Gilmanton Year-Round Library Association has moved this barn from North Hampton to their town where it will be turned into the Gilmanton library.
The group decided to transform the barn into a library rather than erect a new building.
The barn, they felt, was more fitting of the town's character and history.
Besides, re-purposing the barn would not only save money --- it would save a piece of New Hampshire history.
The association found the 17-70 hand-hewn barn with the help of an antique-barn-saving service.
Since this video was taken in June the barn has been taken apart and moved to Gilmanton.
The estimated cost for dismantling and reconstructing the barn could reach as high as 175-thousand dollars.
script iconIntro Barn Discussion
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Barns are a symbol of -- a way of life here in NH -- But, they've become an anachronism. Their design dates back to a time when loose hay storage was a major function of barns. Today, farmers often can't afford to adapt outmoded buildings --
that's where PRESERVATIONISTS come in:
Here to talk about Barn Preservation: Jennifer Goodman, the Executive Director fo the NH Preservation Alliance, John Porter, author of the book "Preserving Old Barns", and Arron Sturgis, a contractor who specialzes in barn restoration projects.
Q JENNIFER GOODMAN: You refer to barns as an "endangered species"
Are we in danger of losing this part of our heritage in NH?
script iconDiscussion Barn
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Q JOHN PORTER: There seems to be a growing RURAL preservation movement. Why? What's the impetus?
Q AARON STURIS: I've heard barns described as a "Cultural Resource that can't be replaced " -- but, they can be RESTORED?
At one point is it impossible to bring back one of these post-and beam structures?
=======================
THE ROLFE BARN IN PENACOOK
Barn Enthusiasts will remember the battle over the ROLFE Barn in Concord.
Entrenched in history -- the Penacook Historical Society stepped in -- when
the late-18th century barn was about to be EXPORTED and moved out west for someone's private residence. It became a case of personal property rights vs community heritage -- and it drew national attention. In the end, the city decided to take the property by eminent domain -- and the ROLFE barn was preserved.
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Q JOHN PORTER: What's Lost --when a structure like the Rolfe barn is shipped out
and resurrected. Isn't that better than falling into disrepair.
Q JENNIFER: It was a DEMOLITION REVIEW ORDINANCE that helped save the Rolfe Barn. How does that work?
Q AARON STURIS: The Historical Society raised approximately $400,000 for the
purchase and preservation of the Rolfe Barn.
Generally, how expensive is it to restore an historic barn?
What is involved.
==========
Barns are expensive to Maintain -- or restore for that matter.
You hear stories of people tearing down perfectly good barns for tax reasons.
It's a concern that Lawmakers have tried to address in the past:
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Q JENNIFER GOODMAN: Does the state give owners preserving barns a tax break?
Q JOHN PORTER: How many barns do we have left in NH? What did we have in their heydey?
Heard a statistic: 100 barns disappearing from landscape every year.
Q AARON STURGIS: Beauty, function and durability -- come to mind when you think of Barns. How is it that something so simply
constructed can withstand the test of time?
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Rustic barn looks are featured in all the popular magazines-- sparking a renewed interest in wood harvested centures before. TRADITIONAL Barns are being dismantled for their hand hewn lumber -- which can't be replicated.
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Q AARON STURGIS: Do Salvage Dealers approach you for parts.
The most valuable barns for timber are those 100 years old - the same barns PRESERVATIONISTS want to save.
Old barns painted red -- because it was cheaper.
Is that still a preference these days in restoration.
The Biggest CHALLENGE in restoration work?
===============
Q AARON STURGIS: What's the biggest enemy to a barn -- LEAKY roof?
What does a new roof cost these days?
JOHN PORTER: True that in some cases its cheaper to build a NEW barn
rather than preserve the old?
Q JENNIFER GOODMAN: Where do you turn if you want to preserve a barn and don't have the means to do it?
What's HELP is available?
Q JOHN PORTER: Are you hopeful that we'll be able to PRESERVE what's left?
When a barn falls.we lose more than a building -- we lose a sense of place.!!!!
script iconRolfe Barn
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Barn Enthusiasts will remember the battle over the ROLFE Barn in Concord.
Entrenched in history -- the Penacook Historical Society stepped in -- when
the late-18th century barn was about to be EXPORTED and moved out west for someone's private residence. It became a case of personal property rights vs community heritage -- and it drew national attention. In the end, the city of Concord decided to take the property by eminent domain -- and the ROLFE barn was preserved. It will become part of a museum complex.
script iconVisser sot
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Rustic barn looks are featured in all the popular magazines-- sparking a renewed interest in wood harvested centures before. TRADITIONAL Barns are being dismantled for their hand hewn lumber -- which can't be replicated.
script iconOwner Sot
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Barns are expensive to Maintain -- or restore for that matter.
You hear stories of people tearing down perfectly good barns for tax reasons.
It's a concern that Lawmakers have tried to address over the years.
script iconIntro Barn Dance
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Barn Dancing is another tradition being preserved in NH -- and you don't even need a barn. New England style contra-dances and American square dances are alive and well thanks to groups like the "Two Fiddles" featuring Dudley and Jacquelin Laufman.
Chip Neal went to their home in Canterbury to sit in on one of their monthly barn dances.
script iconTag Barn Dance
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In 2001, Dudley Laufman received the prestigious "Folk Heritage Award" from the Smithsonian Institute.
script iconGoodnight
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That is it for this edition of our program.
I'm Beth Carroll.
We'll see you next time.
Thanks for watching.
script iconTomorrow
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On the next New Hampshire Outlook -
script iconWeb Pointer
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Just a reminder if you missed any of this program or would like to watch it again-- New Hampshire Outlook is available online on-demand at nhptv.org/outlook
You can also find streaming video of ALL of our broadcasts.
script iconkey: History
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NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 12/16/04
HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 3:35 minutes
Now on New Hampshire Outlook: Preserving historic barns in the Granite State! Hello. I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to New Hampshire Outlook. Historic Barns are slowly disappearing from the NH landscape --victims of decay, fire and, in some cases dismantled and moved to other states looking to capture a piece of New England heritage. Changing times and new uses have rendered some of these historic structures useless and expensive for owners to maintain. But, efforts are underway to preserve New Hampshire's agricultural heritage. We'll learn more about those changes in a moment. But first, when new owners of a property in Hampton wanted to demolish a centuries old barn -- the local Historical Society stepped in! Photographer Jonathan Millman was there when work crews and volunteers pitched in to dis-assemble the post-and-beam structure.
PRODUCER/REPORTER: Jonathan Millman NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Ben Moore\President, Hampton Historical Society
script iconkey: History
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NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 12/16/04
HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 15:20 minutes
Now on New Hampshire Outlook: Preserving historic barns in the Granite State! Barns are a symbol of -- a way of life here in NH -- But, they've become an anachronism. Their design dates back to a time when loose hay storage was a major function of barns. Today, farmers often can't afford to adapt outmoded buildings -- that's where preservationists come in: Here to talk about Barn Preservation: Jennifer Goodman, the Executive Director fo the NH Preservation Alliance, John Porter, author of the book "Preserving Old Barns", and Arron Sturgis, a contractor who specialzes in barn restoration projects.
PRODUCER/REPORTER: Beth Carroll NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Jennifer Goodman\Exec. Dir., NH Preservation Alliance John Porter\Author, " Preserving Old Barns" Arron Sturgis\Barn Restoration Contractor
script iconkey: Culture / Arts
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NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 12/16/04
HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 6:00 minutes
Now on New Hampshire Outlook: Preserving historic barns in the Granite State! Barn Dancing is another tradition being preserved in NH -- and you don't even need a barn. New England style contra-dances and American square dances are alive and well thanks to groups like the "Two Fiddles" featuring Dudley and Jacquelin Laufman. Chip Neal went to their home in Canterbury to sit in on one of their monthly barn dances.
PRODUCER/REPORTER: Chip Neal NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Dudley Laufman\Barn Dance caller/musician Dudley & Jacqueline Laufman\Two Fiddles
script iconkey: History
Return to index of stories...
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 12/16/04
HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 6:00 minutes
Now on New Hampshire Outlook: Preserving historic barns in the Granite State! Barn Dancing is another tradition being preserved in NH -- and you don't even need a barn. New England style contra-dances and American square dances are alive and well thanks to groups like the "Two Fiddles" featuring Dudley and Jacquelin Laufman. Chip Neal went to their home in Canterbury to sit in on one of their monthly barn dances.
PRODUCER/REPORTER: Chip Neal NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Dudley Laufman\Barn Dance caller/musician Dudley & Jacqueline Laufman\Two Fiddles
script iconTonight 10:00
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Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook:
Join us tonight at 10:00 only on New Hampshire Public Television.
script iconWEB PROMO
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Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook.
. Tonight at 10pm on New Hampshire Public Television.
script iconPost Show Log
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Thursdsay, December 16, 2004:
We taped this show early because it was ready to go. We finished by 4pm.
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