Kutztown in Berks County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Brick-End Decorated Barns

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 3, 2017

1. Brick-End Decorated Barns Marker

Inscription.
Brick-end decorated barns are one of the finest classics of rural American architecture. These southern & central Pennsylvania barns were very expensive to build. The brick ends were constructed with designs which were formed by the gaps, or mortises, in the brickwork. These gaps have a function: they provide ventilation & some natural lighting inside the barn. These walls, often sixteen inches thick, were carefully constructed. Any miscalculation in the placement of the mortises weakened the barn's structure. The brick end designs had to be kept simple: the wheat sheaf or hour-glass & the diamond shape are the two most popular designs.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Architecture • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 40° 31.069′ N, 75° 47.033′ W. Marker is in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, in Berks County. Marker is on the Kutztown Fairgrounds, home of the Kutztown Folk Festival. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 450 Wentz Street, Kutztown PA 19530, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Colouring Easter Eggs (here, next to this marker); Two Worlds - Dutch Country (here, next to this marker); Griener Dunnerschdag (here, next to this marker); Pennsylvania Dutch Ballads

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(here, next to this marker); Cider Making (here, next to this marker); Wheelbarrow Matches (within shouting distance of this marker); Quilting Lore (within shouting distance of this marker); The Conestoga Wagon (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kutztown.

Regarding Brick-End Decorated Barns. Excerpt from "Today... and Yesterday" by The Morning Call

Also see . . .
1. Brick-End Decorated Barn Photos. (Submitted on July 10, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Historic Barn and Farm Foundation of Pennsylvania. (Submitted on July 10, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. The Preservation of Historic Barns. (Submitted on July 10, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
4. The Pennsylvania German Society. (Submitted on July 10, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
5. Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. (Submitted on July 10, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
6. Kutztown Folk Festival. (Submitted on July 10, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

Brick-End Decorated Barns Marker and Other Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 3, 2017

2. Brick-End Decorated Barns Marker and Other Markers

Credits. This page was last revised on July 21, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 10, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 277 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 10, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.