Hi Cedar:

Good topic.

I write freelance for area newspapers/magazines. In 2007-08 I did a weekly newspaper series featuring these buildings and their people that I called "Our Barns." I hardly ever got refused when knocking on a door. But, and I think this was helpful, I never asked to look right then and there...I'd ask to set up a convenient time...I think this let them think it over and get a sense of me as a person, etc even if it was only for 2-3 minutes. Once word got around about the barn series, some folks even called me to come and visit. I still get calls.

Are you a member of the Guild? If so, maybe you could tell folks that you are comparing these old buildings or doing a regional analysis. Not sponsored by the Guild, per se, but being a member may be all the legitimacy you need to get a look-see. If your area is like Maine towns, word will spread and you'll get to be known as the "barn guy," which can help. Plus, after you've been in a couple places, you can say "I was at the Jewett place last week and wonder if your barn has the same type of hay track...?" I've found some barn owners approached w/ this question kind of want to know this type of stuff that they never even thought of about before. Find a way to get THEM interested, so it's not just about them doing YOU a favor.

But aren't you looking for barn plans? Perhaps you could say you want to compare interior layouts because you want to build a barn? That's a great opening line.

Is there a local historical society you can approach? Tell them your interest and if there are barns you might look at. They can break the ice and act as a mediator for those first few barns.

Of course always be absolutely honest.

And what the heck, maybe your local paper might want to run one of your pictures of a noteworthy barn each week? All you need is a little caption to go with it, not necessarily a full-blown story.



Interested to hear how some others get access to these buildings.