Bates Round Barn
Why it's listed
Built around 1928 by farmer DeVern Bates, this round dairy barn rises beside Route 12 south of Greene as the dominant feature of Brookhaven Farm. It measures 60 feet across and has three stories plus a loft under a domed roof. The lower walls are structural tile, and a tile silo runs through the center. A large entrance bay with an elliptically arched opening gives drive-in access to the third floor. Its brick, tile and stucco facade carries the inscription "1931 Brookhaven." Inside, 24 stanchions are arranged with the manger on the outside and the gutter toward the silo, reversing the usual layout to improve ventilation. Chutes deliver hay, grain, straw and silage. The loft floor is held by steel rods and kingpost trusses. Bates had earlier built the Young round barn a mile south. The barn was listed as one of the most complex and innovative central plan dairy barns in New York, and it still serves as a working dairy barn.
Significance in brief: The barn is described as one of the most complex and innovative central plan dairy barns identified in New York State, and the most recent of the twelve barns in the thematic group. Its structural tile walls, reversed stanchion layout with ventilating tubes, specialized feed chutes, domed roof and loft floor supported by trusses and steel hangers drew on Midwestern precedents. Its brick, tile and stucco entrance bay with ogival pediment shows notable craftsmanship.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 84002071, listed September 29, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | NY 12, Greene |
|---|---|
| County | Chenango County |
| Listed | September 29, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84002071 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | DeVern Bates, designer and builder |
| Areas of significance | Engineering, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in good condition and still functioning as a dairy barn, remaining in the Bates family; an addition was made to the southeast in 1979. |
| Acreage | 2 |
| Coordinates | 42.30293, -75.80169 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 84002071.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4868816
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.