ROUND BARNS OF AMERICA
I began this project on doing paintings and essays on round barns, when I saw my first one, an octagonal, in 2014 in NE Ohio. Over time, I expanded from the ones in Ohio to those throughout the country i – with the understanding that it would be a multi-year project. And, since most of these barns – the ones still standing – are located far from Cincinnati, I could not visit all of them. Everything takes time and even a barn tour in my home state can take days. So, I relied on resources such as the National Register and local, county, and state historical societies as well as individual owners.
What I’ve discovered in doing research for this project has been simply amazing. Even though some of the barns are gone, their stories are rich in American history – from several on the east coast, a few in the South, loads in the Midwest and West, and some even in remote Oregon and California, far away from the agricultural belt of mid-America, where round barns enjoyed their widest appeal. Barn shapes that qualify for my project are: the true circle, oblong (oval), donut-shaped, and polyhedral (most commonly the octagonal, but some have more than eight sides). Many have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. I selected ones that had architectural appeal, a good composition, and compelling histories.
In my book, published by Acclaim Press in November, 2022, Round Barns of America, I detailed the evolution of this unique barn, which, then as now, consisted of less than one percent of all barns. Of the 75 barns in the book, some are gone but many still exist in over 30 states. I hope you enjoy their stories. The paintings will eventually be in an online fundraiser for 10 historical societies in Ohio. All paintings will be framed in siding from old barns. The online auction will last the entire month of May, 2023, on www.biddingowl.com - under Hocking County Historical Society. The historical societies each have seven paintings on display, open to the public.
What I’ve discovered in doing research for this project has been simply amazing. Even though some of the barns are gone, their stories are rich in American history – from several on the east coast, a few in the South, loads in the Midwest and West, and some even in remote Oregon and California, far away from the agricultural belt of mid-America, where round barns enjoyed their widest appeal. Barn shapes that qualify for my project are: the true circle, oblong (oval), donut-shaped, and polyhedral (most commonly the octagonal, but some have more than eight sides). Many have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. I selected ones that had architectural appeal, a good composition, and compelling histories.
In my book, published by Acclaim Press in November, 2022, Round Barns of America, I detailed the evolution of this unique barn, which, then as now, consisted of less than one percent of all barns. Of the 75 barns in the book, some are gone but many still exist in over 30 states. I hope you enjoy their stories. The paintings will eventually be in an online fundraiser for 10 historical societies in Ohio. All paintings will be framed in siding from old barns. The online auction will last the entire month of May, 2023, on www.biddingowl.com - under Hocking County Historical Society. The historical societies each have seven paintings on display, open to the public.
This book is full color with an index, bibliography, and matching dust jacket. The large (8.5x11) hardbound format allows ample room for each of the 75 barn paintings. The stories - stretching from the east coast to the Wild West - are captivating and illustrate lives of early pioneers.
FROM THE FOREWORD:
I like to think of round barns as the fireworks show at the end of an era of incredible craftsmanship. If you stand in the haymow of an old round barn and gaze upwards, you can witness firsthand the fireworks – with rafters overhead emanating – seemingly exploding – from the center apex.
Jeffersonville, Indiana
Today, thanks to historical preservation efforts of Dr. Kroeger, future generations can learn about these barns and their stories through the pages of this book. I hope you enjoy the work of this author, a gifted writer as well as painter.
Chillicothe, Ohio
And while so many of Ohio’s remaining barns are treasured features of our landscape, round barns pop out and command our attention. Bob Kroeger’s passion for historic barns is exceptional. So too are his vibrant impasto oil paintings. Here, Bob’s artist’s eye and skilled painter’s hand showcase the country’s extraordinary collection of round barns.
Columbus, Ohio
FROM THE FOREWORD:
I like to think of round barns as the fireworks show at the end of an era of incredible craftsmanship. If you stand in the haymow of an old round barn and gaze upwards, you can witness firsthand the fireworks – with rafters overhead emanating – seemingly exploding – from the center apex.
- Vincent Loveall
Jeffersonville, Indiana
Today, thanks to historical preservation efforts of Dr. Kroeger, future generations can learn about these barns and their stories through the pages of this book. I hope you enjoy the work of this author, a gifted writer as well as painter.
- John Payne,
Chillicothe, Ohio
And while so many of Ohio’s remaining barns are treasured features of our landscape, round barns pop out and command our attention. Bob Kroeger’s passion for historic barns is exceptional. So too are his vibrant impasto oil paintings. Here, Bob’s artist’s eye and skilled painter’s hand showcase the country’s extraordinary collection of round barns.
- Stephen George, Senior Advisor to the CEO
Columbus, Ohio