Not Just Any Old Barn

         

The Wemp Barn, Feura Bush, NY

                                  

 The Old Wemp Barn, Fort Hunter, NY

(Image source: http://www.dutchbarns.org/dbpsnewsfall90.htm))

Not Just Any Old Barn

 By: Jenny Galough

  I recently visited Feura Bush, New York and in my travels, I stopped to explore the Wemp Barn on Onesquethaw Creek Rd. The Wemp Barn, originally erected in Fort Hunter, NY in the early 1700s was located on Queen Anne St at the Wemp Homestead. In 1989, the dismantling, relocating and re-erecting began and was completed in June of 1990. I frequent the Towpath and various trails at the Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site, the trails span from Amsterdam to Fort Hunter, New York right along the beautiful Mohawk River and original Erie Canal. While exploring the trails, I was able to see the original site of the old Wemp Barn.  Desiring to learn more, I stopped to ask a few questions at the Visitor Center in Fort Hunter and did a little research on the Dutch Barn Preservation Society’s website then mapped out my adventure to Feura Bush.   

   After travelling for about an hour, the first thing I noticed upon arrival was the beautiful park-like setting that the Wemp Barn is now situated on. There is a road-side Historical Marker in place highlighting its origin and a very friendly “Visitors Welcome” sign that made my heart skip a beat because I knew I wanted to go beyond the fence to get closer. I walked the barely-there paver path and was greeted with another sign honoring the skill and craftsmanship that went into the construction of the Historic Dutch Barn. After getting closer, the rustic grandeur of the barn becomes more apparent. The size, although a bit scaled down from the original, is almost overwhelming but still very impressive. Along the left side, I immediately noticed the outline of where the original side doors would have been located, they have since been closed up and the two doors at either end of the barn are the only functioning doors to gain access. While I was not able to go inside, I was able to peek through a large opening near the front left door to see the large beams that support the structure.  The beams seemed massive, (maybe 8” by 8”) compared to present-day construction.  Another thing I couldn’t help but notice was the texture of the wood on the outside of the barn. At first glance, you would think it would be jagged and leave behind splinters, however, the weathering, age and distress of the wood was smooth and almost soft under the palm of my hand. I stood there, amazed by the process of dismantling an entire barn and moving it to a new location, in that moment, I couldn’t help but think about the journey this barn had taken to be located where it is now.  After completing a full lap around the property, I took one last look and was excited and honored that I was able to link the Wemp Barn in its current location of Feura Bush, NY back to its original location of Fort Hunter, New York, definitely an adventure worthwhile.

(ALL IMAGES by Jenny Galough)

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Jenny Galough is a guest contributor to our blog and is a resident of Amsterdam, NY.  Jenny has recently taken a greater interest in Schoharie Crossing, using the trails almost daily and attending several programs or events over this past season.  She has also been sending along some great photographs of the site from her adventures as well as these programs.
Jenny has provided this article and images for our online and newsletter publication.