Mish, Henry, Barn
Also known as: Mish Barn; Heritage Hill Barn
Why it's listed
This brick bank barn, built around 1849 for Henry Mish, sits in open country along Back Creek about a mile north of Middlebrook in Augusta County. Measuring roughly 50 by 100 feet, it follows the Pennsylvania type, with a projecting wood-frame forebay and decorative brick lattice vents in lozenge patterns on its ends. Mish was born in York County, Pennsylvania, and settled in the county in 1839. The barn illustrates how this barn form moved from southeastern Pennsylvania into the Valley of Virginia. Although bank barns became standard in Augusta County during the 19th century, brick examples are rare, since local barns were usually frame or log. The farm escaped the destruction that claimed more than two thousand Valley barns during the Civil War. Much of the original framing and many doors survive, and the barn has stayed in continual use on the family farm. The listing covers about ninety-seven acres, including the brick farmhouse and outbuildings that give the barn its agricultural setting.
Significance in brief: The barn, built for Henry Mish, a Pennsylvania native, shows how the forebay bank barn spread from southeastern Pennsylvania into the Valley of Virginia. It is one of the only known brick barns in the Valley, where barns were widely destroyed by Union forces in the Civil War. Its decorative brick vents and heavily trussed interior preserve its architectural integrity.
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 83003260, listed February 10, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | N of Middlebrook on VA 876, Middlebrook |
|---|---|
| County | Augusta County |
| Listed | February 10, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83003260 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architectural style | Pennsylvania-type brick bank barn with projecting wood-frame forebay |
| Areas of significance | Agriculture, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The barn remains in regular use and is in a good state of preservation, though some original interior fittings have been removed or rearranged. |
| Acreage | 97 |
| Coordinates | 38.06485, -79.22333 (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 83003260.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14712522
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.