Buzz
Red barns are a familiar sight across the rural United States.
Image courtesy of the National Parks ServiceImportant Points to Remember
- Historically, the shade known as 'barn red' was actually a burnt-orange hue, not the bright red we see today. It originated from European farmers who used a linseed oil mixture to treat barn wood, sometimes adding blood from livestock slaughters or rust (ferrous oxide) for added protection and color.
- European settlers brought the practice of red barns to America. By the mid-1800s, the introduction of affordable chemical pigments made red paint the least expensive option in the U.S.
- As whitewash became more affordable, white barns began to appear. Despite this, the tradition of red barns remained strong.
If you've ever driven through rural areas, you've likely noticed the red barns that dot the countryside. There are various theories explaining why barns are painted red.
Centuries ago, farmers in Europe would coat the wood of their barns with oil, often linseed oil — a yellowish oil extracted from the flax plant's seeds. They would mix the linseed oil with ingredients like milk and lime to create a durable paint that dried and hardened quickly. (Today, linseed oil is sold in most hardware stores as a wood sealant). But where did the red color come from?
In historical terms, "barn red" isn't the bright, fire-engine red we typically see today. Instead, it was more of a burnt-orange red. There are two main theories explaining how the oil mixture became red:
- Wealthy farmers would mix blood from recent animal slaughters into the oil. As the paint dried, it transformed from a bright red to a darker, burnt red.
- Farmers also added ferrous oxide, also known as rust, to the oil. Rust was abundant on farms and served as a natural fungicide, protecting barns from mold and moss, which could trap moisture and promote decay.
Regardless of the method used to create the red tint, owning a red barn became a symbol of status. The color contrasted sharply with the traditional white farmhouse.
When European settlers arrived in America, they brought the custom of red barns with them. By the mid-1800s, chemical pigments were introduced, making red paint the most affordable choice. Red remained the preferred color until whitewash became cheaper, leading to the rise of white barns.
Nowadays, the color of barns can differ, often reflecting their intended use or purpose.
