Barns of Rhinebeck
Beginning in 1686 when Dutch settlers purchased fertile land near the Hudson River from members of the Sepasco and Esopus tribes, Rhinebeck has been a farming community. In honor of the long tradition of farming in our region and the remaining farms in Dutchess County, this month’s post highlights photos and paintings of barns.
The featured glass plate negative “Horse and Carriage by a Barn” is from the Robert Asher Collection dating from 1890-1920.
Astor Map Collection, “Plan of East Barn”, white on blue on medium paper, the size is 17 1/2″ by 25″, scale is 1″ = 4′
Created by Charles A. Platt of 101 Park Avenue New York, NY, “Plan of East Barn” includes labels for calf and temporary calf pens, bull pen, tile floor, cork floor, and cement floor.
Rhinebeck artist Olin Dows (1904-1981) painted rural scenes featuring views of the four seasons and barns of Dutchess and Columbia County. Although some of Dows’ paintings were partially destroyed in a fire at Southlands, they remain treasures in the RHS Archives.
“Barn and Trees” (right) watercolor painting of red-tiled roofed barns with sloped access to the upper level of one barn. Wagons are visible inside lower level entry to the barn. Carat markings on three sides appear to indicate portions of painting to be matted, and cracked off shard includes penciled note specifying off-white matting. Current dimensions are 14.25 in wide x 18.5 in long. At one end of the painting, thin paper material is attached.
The image on the left is a watercolor painting of a barn complex with three white rosettes on each of the three barns pictured. The three roofs are green, purple, and red. Reverse side is also a painting, 2013-095.24.006. Current dimensions are 12 in wide x 14 in long.
Whether walking on a less travelled lane or driving the winding roads on a spring day, scenic views and barns still provide a haven in the historic Rhinebeck area.
Happy Researching.
See you in May!
From the Archives,
Researcher Bonnie Wood
April 2025