‘1883 Barn’ in Newfield purchased by local historical preservation developer

Seth Adams was impressed by the uniqueness and historical significance of a barn that’s been in the town of Newfield for more than 140 years.

Adams is the owner and manager of Warner’s Way Real Property Services, LLC, an Enfield-based independently licensed property managing and development company that focuses on historical preservation and mixed or adaptive re-use of properties in the southern portion of the Finger Lakes.

According to a release, Adams announced that he has finalized the purchase of the barn at 2981 Elmira Rd. in Newfield, which was previously at the Tompkins County tax foreclosure auction in June.

Known as the “1883 Barn,” the structure was originally constructed that year as a hay barn in the farmland of Pony Hollow by farmer Isaac Osmun. The release noted the barn was worked on by John Smartwood, a master carpenter from Horseheads.

In the 1960s, two local artists, Constance Saltonstall and Victoria Romanoff, purchased the barn, at a time when “the back to the land movement gained traction, along with the idea of adaptive reuse,” before the establishment of the 1966 National Historic Preservation Act, the release noted.

Adams stated in the release that the women “cleaned (the barn), added windows and insulation in various rooms both on the first and second levels to create living space, kitchen, bathroom and even an upper floor loft bedroom and adjacent studio-writing room, leaving the timber frame superstructure respectfully and completely intact.”

The release continued by saying the women “meticulously repaired the unfinished board and batten exterior, putting the defining touch on the structure. Its paint scheme (was) white with red and green trim, with the iconic ‘AD 1883’ painted scroll at the top on both the north and south elevations.”

From 1965 to 1988, the barn was a living and working space for Saltonstall and Romanoff, where the two also held art exhibitions.

In 1980, Saltonstall and Romanoff received a preservation award from Historic Ithaca for their “trailblazing adaptive reuse” of the 1883 barn.

“It was home for them and their various dogs and even a goat at one time,” the release said.

The barn housed a county market from 1988 to 2000. When new ownership took over in 2000, it “largely fell into disrepair,” the release noted.

With Adams now the owner of the barn, he has three possible options:

• Adaptive reuse as mixed-use
• Restore the barn using New York State barn credit, which allows for agricultural use only
• Relocate and reconstruct the barn on a “more suitable site”

Adams noted there is a pending decision, and discussions on possible uses, through the state’s historical preservation office and its determination of eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places.

The decision could also further the possibility of a “period of significance,” which will drive the “realm of the barn’s future potential uses.”

Adams said he sees projects like the barn, which is a building of historic value but not listed in the National Register or in a National Historical District, as a work in progress.

“Acquisitions of distressed properties are risky, and rehabilitations are expensive,” Adams said. “What we’re confident of is that the barn and land will ultimately be in better condition as a result of our stewardship than before.”

The release stated that Adams hired Morgan Landscaping “to level” the 20-plus years of overgrowth surrounding the structure and to “carefully remove” the overgrown, attached vines and vegetation.

After a survey was conducted with experts on barns and timber frame structures, it was determined that the barn is in need of structural and foundational repair.

“But, it could indeed become a viable structure to support a multitude of uses,” the release said.

Adams’ next steps for the barn will be determined once a decision is made for the determination of eligibility and the period of significance.

Newfield Notes appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Send story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com.

In brief:

Newfield, other towns to host ‘Trash Talks’ event

The towns of Newfield, Enfield and Ulysses are coming together to host “Trash Talks” on Monday, Oct. 28 at 6 p.m. at the Enfield Community Center at 162 Enfield Main Rd.

The event will feature a discussion on recycling, reusing and the circular economy and will include experts speaking on innovative ways to reduce waste toward building a sustainable future.

Participants are encouraged to bring and contribute gently-used Halloween costumes for a community exchange and re-use.

‘Mind Over Body’ program on Oct. 27

The Newfield Public Library will host a “Mind Over Body” introductory program on Sunday, Oct. 27.

The program, led by instructor Mitch Raymond, will take place on the second floor of the library at 6 p.m. Raymond’s presentation breaks down how to “improve the strength, flexibility, stability, balance and skill” of participants’ bodies through practices that “enhance neuromuscular connection and physiologic well being,” according to a description.

The library recommends bringing a yoga mat.Participants will work with the library’s chairs and tables to assist with stability. There is a suggested donation of $10.

For more information, go newfieldpubliclibrary.org or call 607-564-3594.