The Barn

This mid-19th century timber-framed building on a mortar stone foundation served as the carriage barn for the Gerrit Smith Estate. Five horse stanchions with feed chutes from the hay mow stand between the main room and the two-story addition, and a pigeon cote remains in the north peak. Ann and Gerrit Smith’s grandson, Gerrit Smith Miller, recalled that after being fed and rested, and as opportunity offered, fugitives could be passed on to Oswego, where captains of lake vessels known to Smith would give them passage to Canada and safety. Miller recounted that sometimes freedom seekers preferred to sleep in the barn rather than in the house.

Smithfield, New York · United States