This past year, I’ve spent a good deal of time among the barns of Ira, Vermont.

This hamlet of less than 500 people is in Rutland County, on the western side of the state. Chartered in 1780, the tiny little town is big on barns with several valuable, historic timber frames, each with a story to tell.

You may be thinking of my previous blog where I showed the video of the controlled collapse of the end section of an historic barn from Ira, but that method of deconstructing a barn was the exception – – not the rule! While that specific part of the barn wasn’t salvageable, we are currently working on restoring the remaining 72 feet of the structure. You can read more about that restoration project here.

Today’s blog is about the tiny 8×10 foot milk house that was nestled next to that very same barn. You can see it on the right in the picture below.

Colonial era barn with 1900s milk house

The little milk house has found a new owner and we recently moved it to my hometown of Middletown Springs, VT.

Milk house is loaded onto trailer

Careful now! Don’t let ‘er fall!

So how did the milk house find its new home? 

30 years ago, I built a playhouse for my children. When my children grew older, I sold it to a local friend for his daughter. Now that I am blessed with grandchildren, I called my friend to see if I could get the playhouse back. He suggested we make a trade: a milk house for a playhouse.

I had been looking for the perfect owner for this adorable 1900s building, so I was glad to make the swap. My friend now has a milk house cabin in his yard and I get to bring home the playhouse and restore it for our grandchildren!

While the milk house needs continued TLC, it is now close by and convenient to work on. I will restore it, and plan to add a small porch to make it into a cozy, Thoreau-esque dwelling for the new owner.

Milk house in its original location, original condition

Milk house in its new location waiting for some more TLC.  The playhouse  is in background.

Want to come see the milk house in person or visit some of the timber frames we have here at our shop in Middletown Springs? Please let us know!