A Newlin Barn
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Recently we visited family in Silk Hope, North Carolina where my husband, Randy, grew up. His family has farmed in that area since the mid-1700’s, up until my father-in-law retired three years ago.
This barn was built on the family farm back in 1944. It’s one of my favorite sights in Silk Hope. Set beside a winding country road, it marks the place where many a hay bale has been thrown.
Around those parts it’s called a Newlin barn, named after the builder Harvey Newlin. Harvey was a Quaker from nearby Eli Whitney, NC. His work can be seen peppering the landscapes throughout the area. My father-in-law says Harvey would show up, and doing all the math in his head, could tell you what supplies, down to the nail, would be needed to build the desired structure.
The barn is a lesson in symmetry. And for that, Harvey and I would have gotten along real well. I like things even.
I love the textures…
The tones…
The angles.
And I’m sure, if it could talk, I’d enjoy the tales it could tell too.
This day it was bitter cold, but Randy remembers many a hot day loading the barn with hay, and playing games with his brothers and cousins behind the bales.
This barn is solid.
And while it still stores a few hay bales today, primarily for me it stands as a work of art, a piece of history.
That Harvey Newlin done good.
He done real good.
.
Oh, gorgeous photos, Amy. It makes me think of the barn I grew up in and played in with my sisters and cousins. It’s gone now, but I would have loved to have gotten some cool pix. Tell Randy he’s a handsome man! Love ya — Happy New Year!
Love the post and the pics!
Beautiful Old Barn! Love hearing the history of it!
Thank you for the wonderful tribute to my Grandfather Harvey Newlin. Wonderful pictures. This is one of the 153 barns he and his crew built.
Just curious as to who wrote this? BTW…Harvey was my grandfather and I grew-up in Silk Hope where Harvey, my dad, uncles and various cousins were likely involved in the building of the barns.
(I got this link from a cousin, Helen Bowers.)
Harvey Newlin was my grandfather, he built 59 gambrel roof barns and 13 gothic roof barns. The last of this style of barn built by him was in the early 50’s and most of them are still standing and many still in use. I can look at a barn and tell if Grandfather built it by the roof lines. Yes the barn lofts were hot in the summer, memories of hay and cows are still etched in my mind.
Barry, was Alfred your dad or uncle? I remember talking to Alfred quite a while one day while traveling down the Woody Store Road. I lived on the White Smith Road for a number of years. My brother still lives in the homeplace there on Hoot Owl Lane. I moved to Tennessee but I always remember the barns and landscape of Silk Hope. My mom grew up in Silk Hope and graduated from Silk Hope High School in 1938. She was a Butler. Quite a few Butlers still living in the area along the Silk Hope-Gum Springs Road.
That’s a beautiful piece of architecture. I love old barns, especially those with a story to tell. 🙂
Harvey Newlin built my dad’s barn and I loved to watch them at work.
Friendly people. One of my best friends is his daughter, Helen.
Seeing these pictures brings back fond memories of the Newlins, especially my mother, Mary Ann Newlin Clark. Uncle Harvey visited our family often. Dressed in traditional Quaker attire, I partcularly remember his tall, black hats, he always had interesting stories to share. There is such a stong sense of family among the Newlins. It’s wonderful to see Newlin history, such as Uncle Harvey’s barn, being recognized and appreciated by younger generations. Beautiful countryside -great pictures!
Helen Bowers is Harvey’s grandaughter but I was thinking of her dad. I remember him so well and the good work he did. They both were good builders.
Thanks for sharing the pictures and information. Harvey Newlin was my great uncle so I am familiar with his barns. He was an amazing man with tons of history knowledge and a great geneologist. I loved to visit him and Aunt Nanny and have many fond memories of them. Thanks again for sharing.
Harvey was my 1st Cousin once removed. Nice Barn, remids me of mine in Liberty, NC that my Grandfather Kimrey built around 1850!
You are a poet with a camera lense. The top of the barn looks like a church ceiling.
I agree, That Harvey Newlin done good.
He done real good – so did you.
Thank you for this today Amy, and God Bless and Keep you and yours.
I love pictures of old barns. When I was in high school an assignment for my photography class was old barns and I think that was by far my favorite assignment. I love the angles and the blue sky!!
What a beautiful piece of history! Made me wonder what lasting mark I’m leaving on this world…
I heart barns. Your photos are stunning and your words are beautiful.
Saw this link from Twitter. Wow!! What gorgeous shots!!
Beautiful pictures! Brings back wonderful memories of my Grandfather’s barn in North Dakota. Thanks!
Lovely photos. This looks similar to the small North Carolina town where my fiance grew up (Laurinburg, NC).
aaah…so nostalgic. I just love these pics Amy. Makes me want to make my way back to NY and the country.