During the early periods, a barn was the first, largest and most precious structure built by a house who placed in a new area. The term "barn raising" denotes the building of barns. Barn raising is a community event, during which a community comes together to build a barn for one of its households. The participants work on a voluntary basis and all able-bodied members of a community are expected to attend the work. If one fails to attend a barn raising without proper reason, he or she will be censured within the community.
Barn raising performance demands humility, trust, accountability, commitment and sacrifice. Most of the families who want to have barns are placed fairly away from towns, and are dinky in human resources. Thus the participation of the community is required.
Maintenance Hand Kit
Barn raising is a one- or two-day event. The establishment of barn raising includes making plans, collecting hardware and lumber, and clearing the ground. For proper work supervision, some specialists may be brought in from other communities who may have to be paid. Old population who have participated in many barn raisings are crew chiefs. Women are normally entrusted with the responsibility to contribute water and food, men to do the work, and young boys to fetch parts and tools. The main part of barn raising is taking two framed walls, laying them on the ground, and raising them to a vertical position.
Barn raising, being a community activity, strengthens public bonds. It will improve interdependence and an inter-serving nature. Barn raising became rare by the close of the 19th century. But the tradition of barn raising is still prevalent among some communities especially in Ohio, Indiana, and Pennsylvania.
Barn Raising