Parker 13-Sided Barn
Why it's listed
Built in 1896 on the eastern edge of Jefferson, in Schoharie County, this 13-sided barn is about 60 feet across and two stories tall. It has a clapboard exterior, square windows on both levels of each side, a double-hipped roof and a 13-sided cupola topped with early glass-ball lightning rods. Originally a dairy barn, it had a central hay mow ringed by stanchions on the ground floor and a circular wagon drive above. A rectangular barn from the late nineteenth century is joined to it by a later hyphen. The barn is notable as one of only two known New York examples of a transitional central plan type with a broad central mow, concentric manger and circular wagon drive. It resembles the 1883 McArthur-Martin barn in Kortright, about 15 miles south. Its light, nailed framing reflects the spread of balloon framing. Alterations, including removal of the entrance ramp and bridge in 1950, have caused little loss of original fabric.
Significance in brief: It is one of only two known New York examples of a transitional central plan barn with a broad central hay mow, a concentric manger and a circular wagon drive. It closely resembles the 1883 McArthur-Martin hexadecagon barn in Kortright, about 15 miles south, which probably influenced it. Its light, nailed wood framing shows growing acceptance of balloon framing in barn building in the 1880s and 1890s.
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 84002967, listed September 29, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | NY 10, Jefferson |
|---|---|
| County | Schoharie County |
| Listed | September 29, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84002967 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Central plan dairy barn (13-sided, transitional type) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Used for storage on an operating veal farm; in good condition and well maintained. Original dairy use has ended. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Jefferson Historic District |
| Coordinates | 42.48103, -74.60443 (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 84002967.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7138270
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.