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Bucks County's "Castles in the Fields" Highlighted in Book by Conservancy's Barn Expert

Definitive Book on Bucks County Barns written by Conservancy's Vice President of Resource Protection

Author Jeffrey L. Marshall

The Barns of Bucks County by Jeffrey L. Marshall, Heritage Conservancy's Vice President of Resource Protection and Willis M. Rivinus is a pictorial guide to a rapidly disappearing American icon. The book's 300 captivating photographs highlight the diversity of Bucks County's barns from the early 18th century through the early 20th century. It traces the history of barn design, the technical innovations and advances used in construction and the modifications employed for adaptive reuse. Highly illustrated text explains the variety of barn types found throughout the county. The book provides readers with a scholarly study of common barn construction features and the variety of timber framing techniques that were used to create these castles in the fields. It closes with commentary on the future of barns and includes a glossary and a quick identification guide.

"People in Bucks County should really eat that book up," said Robert Ensminger, the author of the acknowledged definitive work on Pennsylvania barns entitled, The Pennsylvania Barn: Its Origin, Evolution and Distribution in North America. Marshall is a "good writer and a fine scholar."

The book is the culmination of about three years of photography and research and 10 months of actual writing. According to Marshall, "My co-author, Will Rivinus, was critical in taking the raw material and creating a highly readable book."

Wiggins Double Barn in Upper Makefield Township

Marshall states in the book, "Old barns are the extraordinary monuments to the early development of rural America." Fieldstone bank barns with overhanging forebays—many hundreds of them dotted the landscape around Bucks County—tell the story of our agricultural success. Today, some of those barns celebrate our past; others speak to an exciting future.

Marshall has been involved in historic preservation for over 30 years including documenting, photographing and researching over 10,000 old buildings. A recognized expert in southeastern Pennsylvania historic architecture, Marshall has taught courses on barn documentation, history and preservation at the Bucks County Community College. In addition to having extensive knowledge of Pennsylvania barns, he has studied barns in New England, New York, Ohio, Michigan and the South. Marshall, often a featured speaker for barn programs and tours in Bucks and Montgomery counties, currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Historic Barn and Farm Foundation of Pennsylvania.

19th century stone barn with frame forebay in Upper Makefield Township

Marshall has been the recipient of Governor, Senate and Pennsylvania of Representatives commendations for career achievements in conservation and preservation. A career milestone came in 2003 when he received the inaugural Bucks County Preservation Legacy Award created in his honor by the Bucks County Commissioners for more than 20 years of leadership and dedication for the preservation of historic places and open spaces.

Barns of Bucks County is available by contacting Jeffrey Marshall at 215-345-7020, ext.113, or jmarshall@heritageconservancy.org. The price of each book is $25 which includes shipping and handling. As an added bonus, members of Heritage Conservancy will received signed copies of the book upon request with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Heritage Conservancy's preservation mission! Books are also available by visiting www.barnsofbuckscounty.com or www.buckscountybarns.com.