“Big House, Little House, Back House, Barn” recording now online

We were pleased to host scholar Thomas C. Hubka recently to speak on his seminal book, Big House, Little House, Back House, Barn highlighting the vernacular connected farmhouses unique to Northern New England that were constructed (and adapted) in abundance in the mid to late 19th century. This engaging talk highlighted the essential components of the stately and beautiful connected farm buildings made by nineteenth-century New Englanders that stand today as a living expression of a rural culture, offering insights into the people who made them and their agricultural way of life. It featured numerous local examples as well as our own Amos Brown House in Whitingham, VT.

We’re happy to now make this recording available for all to enjoy and learn more about these distinctive New England homes, how they came to be, and why they are so unique to our region. Every building has a story, and we hope this talk helps you look just a little closer at the places you see everyday and appreciate the fascinating histories they hold.