1233 Pattersonville Hops Barn

This timber-framed hops barn was built originally circa 1870 near Pattersonville, NY. The barn is a mixture of sawn and hand-hewn timbers, which is a common feature of timber-framed buildings of this time period. Hops barns were developed during the late 1800's for the specific purpose of drying hops, a viney plant that grows on tall poles. Hops were an important cash crop used in the making of beer up until the late 1920's when the demand for them disappeared because of Prohibition. Hops barns are unique in that they are tall and have a high loft for the drying of the green hops.