Most of the real work on the farm happened in the barn, in the fields, and in the house. Some of the outbuildings were so specific in purpose that they were often hastily erected and as quickly abandoned when seasons or activities changed. Others had longer lives and a bigger presence. They were spread out around the property in an almost haphazard way. A few of them I remember from childhood, but others I know only from photos.
The Woodshed
The woodshed in the backyard of the farmhouse adjoined the old barn. Both buildings were torn down sometime in the early 1950’s I have vague memories of them, the most vivid one involving my grandmother hanging clothes on the line strung from the house to the side of the barn.
“Washing,” Carol Crump Bryner, gouache and colored pencil, 2014
My great-grandmother Lydia recorded the origins of this woodshed. I have no idea what they did before that for wood storage. Maybe it was put into the barn, or more likely just kept in a pile close at hand. They needed large stores of wood for the two stoves in the house. Before the arrival of the tractor in 1921, the cutting, splitting, and sawing of sufficient wood was a year round on-going chore. The tractor and the woodshed were great helps for my grandfather and his workers.
Saturday, December 17, 1921 – “Cloudy most of the day. Men busy getting large stones from the ravine to lay the foundation for a shed for the wood pile.” – Lydia Jane Hall
Monday, December 19, 1921 – “Nice day. Men busy placing the stones for the woodshed.” – Lydia Jane Hall
Thursday, December 29, 1921 – “Snowing this morning, cloudy most of the day. At night the wind blew very hard, grew cold, and before morning it was down below zero. Two men worked all day in the shed and didn’t finish. Walter went home. We have quite a large shed.” – Lydia Jane Hall
Saturday, January 5, 1924 – “Clouds and sunshiny. A light snow fell during the night. The wind came up at night and much colder at bedtime. Men busy getting wood ready to saw for the two stoves – with their many chores, keeps them busy.” – Lydia Jane Hall
“The Woodshed,” Carol Crump Bryner, pen and ink, 2015
See also: Outbuildings #1, Outbuildings #2, Outbuildings #3, Outbuildings #4
On Monday: Measles
I just like to chime in once in a while about how much I love your blog Carol. Clicking “On Whirlwind Hill” is like sitting by an open window on a redolent spring day–even when your subject is the cold midwinter. I love today’s “Washing” drawing. Could look at it for hours.
Thank you.
And I’m always happy to have you chime in. Thanks, Carol. Glad you like that little painting. I loved doing it.
Hi Carol, what a colorful and great painting and pen drawing. You always have such great art that accompanies your writings…..Good thing your relatives kept such detailed journals and you having the drive to capture their thoughts and share with all of us.
Thanks, Netzy. It’s a happy thing for me to have the journals. I wish I had more!