Billy Barn has been going through a transformation now for over 30 years. The cows are gone over 40 years and the first set or dance rehearsals took place in the early 1990s. Plywood was nailed to the floor of the middle hay loft, the milk-house was transformed to sleeping quarters and a full bathroom was built in the wash-room.
In 2002 the first wood shop/studio was built. It was mainly a wood shop and secondary, a studio. A low section of an addition to the barn, a place where the calves were kept had to be rebuilt, the roof was totally gone. A new roof on the barn was discussed with a roofer. The total was $40 k and a quick fix metal roof was $20 k. I did not like the quick fix and decided to wait till I can do the entire thing.
By 2008 a new loft space started to take shape on the opposite end of the second level. This also created usable space below for a big communal kitchen area.
The loft space was ready for occupancy by 2012 and the wood shop moved out of the studio to the downstairs manger in 2015. The roof is really bad now, 2018.
January 2020. Started work on a campaign to raise funds to replace the roof and do basic structural repair. I estimate a cost of $70 k. and am considering using a crowd sourcing site.
Plans for the barn’s future use includes having the 3,000 square feet, top hayloft floor completely open to be used for low energy performances in music, dance, theater and readings. Occasionally, to support a bi-annual outdoor sculpture exhibition, the space will be used by 2 artists studios for 3 months, while they create and install their work.
The middle floor will carry 2 live/work studio lofts and the ground floor will be wood shop and kitchen.
This barn will be re-purposed as the support building for an art and performance site on 13 acres of an ex dairy farm that the Wetmores started in the 17th century. Their burial plot, now a county historical site, is right across the street.
Michael Milton 