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Friday, July 03, 2009 5:16 PM Old barns tell the history of Wilson County By Keith Barnes | Times Photojournalist The time has come for me to explain a personal project I began several weeks ago that might have confused some people. If you've noticed me stopping along the road in front of your property and aiming my camera in your direction, you might have also wondered, based on the looks I've received, if I was stalking your family or spying for the government. Actually, what I've been doing is taking pictures of old tobacco barns and packhouses and, as daunting as I've found this task to be, my goal is to get photos of every one still standing in Wilson County. As of today, I have accumulated images of more than 450 of these structures, which I'm guessing is probably about half of those still remaining. This was not a newspaper assignment but instead something I've wanted to do for a long time, only I didn't realize how many barns were still out there. I'm aware I may not get every one of them as some are either hidden by trees, too far off the beaten path or on private property, but I'm getting all I can. Regardless of the number, though, I figured we needed to photograph them now as each year we're losing a few more to both man and the elements. Those people born since about 1970, or anyone who has moved to this area since then, may not realize the critical role tobacco barns played in the early development and growth of strongly farm-orientated Wilson County. In their heyday, barns were important in producing a good tobacco crop as this was where green tobacco leaves from the fields were placed for curing before coming out a golden brown and ready for sale on the market. During the early years of the Wilson tobacco market, which opened Sept. 10, 1890, most tobacco barns were built log-cabin style and insulated with mud. They gradually evolved into structures made of wood, cinder blocks, concrete, bricks, sheet metal, tar paper, asbestos shingles, fiberglass shingles or whatever was available. When the bulk barn-style of curing tobacco came onto the scene in the early 1970s the older barns became obsolete, meaning those still standing are at least 40 years old, while some might have been around for nearly a century. For practical reasons, however, many farmers chose not to destroy their barns at that time. Since most had been well-built, in some cases as well as homes, it made more sense to convert them into garages, carports, storage sheds, workshops, game rooms and even actual living quarters. Additionally, some farmers retained them for nostalgic reasons as a tribute to both the many hours of hard labor and good times experienced in and around the barns during harvesting seasons which, unless you have worked in tobacco, would be hard to explain. While some consider the barns to be ugly and unsightly, I disagree and instead regard them as treasures, regardless of their appearance or condition. They come in all forms, and I've found each one to be different with its own unique character and personality. Some may have been overtaken by weeds, kudzu, vines, briars and trees, while others have become homes for rats, insects and snakes and others either weathered away on their own, burned or were moved or torn down to make way for shopping centers, highways or housing developments. Yet, the remaining barns still cast a symbolic shadow almost serving as tombstones to commemorate tobacco as we once knew it. As I continue this venture I'd like to hear from anyone with stories about barns or maybe you can tell me where some are hidden away that I haven't seen. For those with barns on your property if I haven't already done so I'll likely be by your place soon. Also, please don't clean up around them as I like them the way they are, and don't be alarmed if you see a camera pointing out my car window. At this point I'm not sure exactly what I'll eventually be doing with these photos, but I'd just like to thank everyone who chose to let their barns remain standing for all these years. barnes@wilsontimes.com | 265-7855 |
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Dave Fulton - Charlotte, NC said...
Very nice project. Hope the time will come when the pictures are viewable.
Monday, July 06, 2009 at 4:19 PM
Stryker said...Very nice project. Hope the time will come when the pictures are viewable.
Monday, July 06, 2009 at 4:19 PM
I think that these barns offer so much history to young people. It is good to know that the images of will be saved if the barns are not.
Monday, July 06, 2009 at 1:49 PM
old barns that was long time ago
Saturday, July 04, 2009 at 8:17 PM
GREAT WORK!!!! FOND MEMORIES FLOODED MY MIND OF MY GRANDPARENTS WHO LIVED IN WAYNE COUNTY IN AN AREA CALLED "ELROY" I LIVE IN NEW YORK AND IT IS A PLEASANT REMINDER OF MY CHILDHOOD.PLEASE DO SHARE MORE AND MORE AND MORE.
Saturday, July 04, 2009 at 11:33 AM
...very cool project. Thanks.
Saturday, July 04, 2009 at 10:25 AM
