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Contact Avon Historical Society - ahs.mail.1830@sbcglobal.net; 860-678-7621 |
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Horse Guard Barn
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Avon Historical Society Horse Guard Barn
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We Are Asking For Your Help To Restore A Local Historic Treasure
Southeastern View of the Barn's upper level from West Avon Road As many of you may already be aware, Avon Historical Society recently acquired the Horse Guard Barn Property from the State of Connecticut, located between the First Company Governor's Horse Guard and Miller Foods, Inc., at 232 West Avon Road, Avon, CT, just across the street from the Derrin House. We wanted to help raise awareness by painting the front of the barn red and elevate our "Help Save This Barn" Sign, with special thanks to the folks at AIC. Background: Per the historical record, this English style "bank barn" was built some time between 1880 and 1890 and was in continuous use until the First Company Governor's Horse Guard acquired the barn and approximately 200 surrounding acres in 1954. What is a "Bank Barn?" A bank barn is a barn with 2 levels, typically built on a "bank" to allow access to both levels from either end. In the case of this bank barn, hay was brought in from West Avon Road and passed down to the cows and horses that lived on the lower level, with access to the surrounding fields during the daytime.
Southwestern View of the Barn from the lower level Current Understanding of the Chain of Ownership: From what is currently known, it is extremely likely that this barn and surrounding acreage was originally built and owned by one of or perhaps shared by all 3 of the Derrin Families at some point - "educated," if not wild speculation, given its unique, strategic proximity to the 3 Derrin Homes today. What is better understood is how the barn and sections of the surrounding acreage were in private hands for a long while, owned by a "J. Maxon." We also know that J. Maxon was an avid horse racer, and we believe we have discovered one of his original sulkies from the turn of the century. For ease of understanding, if a "carriage" could be construed as the "horse-drawn equivalent" of an automobile with the ability to seat four comfortably with their luggage, a "sulky" would be the horse-drawn equivalent of a motorcycle. Apparently, Mr. Maxon was fond of exercising his horses where the First Company Governor's horses are today.
One of the many artifacts found on site. A sulky likely owned or borrowed by "J. Maxon." What's Next: Len Tolisano, Curator of the Derrin House Museum across the street is managing this once-in-a-lifetime restoration project, while all of us are currently in the process of simultaneously raising funds, cleaning out the barn, and in the near term, seeking bids and / or donations for tarping over the roof of the barn until the necessary funds for roof replacement and fuller restoration are secured.
Curator and Factotum, Len Tolisano, showcasing the project's interior Avon Historical Society's goal is to restore the Barn to as close to its original state as possible. Fortunately, prior generations built for the long-term, and not much repair or restoration over the last several decades was required, so we have a pretty sound, "historically accurate," base building to work with. This is where it gets interesting: For this purpose we have set up this Fundraiser Page so now you can help us achieve our goal of fully restoring this local treasure for current and future generations. We are asking for your support, whether financial or in service - expertise, materials and / or labor. We are confident that together we can fulfill our project goals, and we need your help, no matter how large or small a contribution you were considering. There are multiple ways to contact us. Feel free to leave a phone message at 860-678-7621, or post a message to us via our Feedback Page, whether you would like to donate funds for restoration or volunteer time and services to help. The Prince Thomas of Savoy Society has already gotten the ball rolling with a generous donation for which we are very grateful. Please see their contact information on our Friends of the Society Webpage. We have also set it up here so you can make a secure online donation. No matter how large or small your contribution, we thank you for your help. _____________________ More images from the Horse Guard Barn Project
General Views of this work in progress
"Magnum," one of the Horse Guard's horses, selected to be part of the Horse Guard Team for his renowned "grace under pressure," stopped by to check on progress
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© Avon Historical Society P.O. Box 448, Avon, CT. All Rights Reserved |
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