Lunn-Musser Octagon Barn
Why it's listed
Built in 1885 by farmer William Lunn, this octagonal dairy barn sits on County Route 16 south of Garrattsville, in rolling dairy country. It measures 60 feet across and rises two stories, with mortared stone lower walls, vertical siding over braced timber frames above, and a hipped roof of eight panels. A center square of posts supports an octagonal ring that carries the rafters. Two marble datestones inscribed "WmLunn 1885" record the owner and date; one remains in the foundation. The barn matters as an early New York example of the octagon design promoted by Elliot Stewart, arriving in Otsego County just three years after the nearby Baker barn, which appears to have influenced Lunn's choice. The cupola blew off in 1976, and concrete block milkhouses and a calf wing were added later, but the original framing, siding and stone walls survive. The barn is still used for dairying.
Significance in brief: It is an early New York example of the octagon barn type popularized by Elliot Stewart, introduced to Otsego County only three years earlier by the nearby Baker barn. It shows a regional variation of Stewart's model and appears to reflect the local influence of the Baker barn. It keeps its stone foundation, original framing and siding and is still used as a dairy barn.
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 84002897, listed September 29, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | S of Garrattsville, Garrattsville |
|---|---|
| County | Otsego County |
| Listed | September 29, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84002897 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Builder: William Lunn, the owner; architect not applicable |
| Architectural style | Octagon barn (central plan dairy barn) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still in use as a dairy barn; condition described as fair. The cupola was lost in a 1976 windstorm, and later additions are non-contributing. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.62768, -75.15692 (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 84002897.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14706846
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.