Herman Farm, Barn, North side of Showalter Road, East of I-81, Hagerstown, Washington County, MD

Significance: The Hermans Farm barn is dated on a cornerstone, May, 1856, as is a well documented and intact example of a prevalent barn type of south central Pennsylvania and mid-Maryland throughout the 19th century. Like most barns in the area it has Germanic influence as evidenced in its use of a cantilevered forebay. The major significance of the barn lies in the excellent documentation that establishes its construction date, for whom it was built and a description in an advertisement of its appearance at 32 years after construction when it was sold. The fact that the major architectural elements of the barn have remained untouched enhance its value as an indicator of a prosperous farmer's agricultural practices and preferences. The general architectural character of the barn is typical of the region's mid-19th century agricultural buildings.
Survey number: HABS MD-993-B
Building/structure dates: 1856