Whaleback Vineyard Barn Restoration
Donation protected
My parents, Dennis Brown Jr. and Amy Ray, own and operate Whaleback Vineyard, a small vineyard and winery located in Poultney, Vermont. We have been open as a family business for the past 5 years. Each year, we have been growing and making improvements.
The tasting room and winemaking production is entirely run by our family. We hope to grow large enough in the future to hire other employees.
(Whaleback Vineyard- 2011 )
Our tasting room and storefront is located on the vineyard in a colonial farmhouse that my grandparents originally bought in the 1950's. Wine production takes place in a historic barn on the property. The barn was built in the 1800's, and has become a landmark in the Poultney area. The farm has become an important part of my family history as well. My grandparents farmed the land, raising cows and horses in the barn, my dad has worked to convert the property into a vineyard, and my sister and I are the third generation to be involved in the family farm. It is hard to miss the giant red barn as you drive into town from Lake St. Catherine. When my sister's fiance proposed last summer, he used the barn as a canvas for his message. The news of their engagement spread fast!
(July 2014)
(My grandparent's farm)
Built in the 1800's, the barn has the original hand hewed beams and wooden pegs. Much of the original slate roof still covers the structure.
(Life at the turn of the century- residents cutting ice on the Lily Pond at Lake St. Catherine with the barn in the horizon)
(August 1978)
The barn has stood for well over 200 years, and my dad has worked hard to see that the building continues to be a part of the local cultural heritage. So many historic barns in Vermont have fallen into disrepair and often a bit of our state's history disappears with the collapse of each barn. Over the past few years, my dad was able to reframe the structural beams, repair the crumbling foundation, repair part of the roofing slate, and repaint a large majority of the structure. In addition, load bearing partitions were added to the lower half of the barn, and commercial winery operations were built underneath the main structure. My dad has completed the construction work almost entirely on his own. Without his efforts, sections of the barn most likely would have collapsed. I, for one, can not imagine a drive near Lake St. Catherine without passing this historic landmark.
(November 2013)
(Wine Production in the Cellar of the Barn)
His dream is to see the restoration project complete, and we are now in the home stretch now that the structure has been stabilized. He would like to purchase the rest of the lumber to finish planking the floors in the main barn, and build bathroom facilities for our guests. Approximately 5,000 square feet of lumber will be needed to complete the project. Projected costs for lumber alone reach $6,000. My dad estimates that $2,000 is needed for restroom plumbing and facilities. We hope to have an additional $2,000 for miscellaneous building costs and labor costs so that my dad can hire some help.
I am hoping that together, we can help him raise the money to cover his supply costs. Once complete, we hope to host large events such as weddings, showers, anniversary parties and other community events. I ask you, our supporters, to help us make the final repairs to the barn so that this landmark can continue to be a part of the local history for years to come. Any gift would be greatly appreciated! Please help us share our page as well. Thank you!
Check out our webpage for more information about Whaleback Vineyard:
http://www.whalebackvineyard.com/
Find us on Facebook as well for updates about wines, events, or building progress.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Whaleback-Vineyard/210228905692769?fref=nf
The tasting room and winemaking production is entirely run by our family. We hope to grow large enough in the future to hire other employees.
(Whaleback Vineyard- 2011 )Our tasting room and storefront is located on the vineyard in a colonial farmhouse that my grandparents originally bought in the 1950's. Wine production takes place in a historic barn on the property. The barn was built in the 1800's, and has become a landmark in the Poultney area. The farm has become an important part of my family history as well. My grandparents farmed the land, raising cows and horses in the barn, my dad has worked to convert the property into a vineyard, and my sister and I are the third generation to be involved in the family farm. It is hard to miss the giant red barn as you drive into town from Lake St. Catherine. When my sister's fiance proposed last summer, he used the barn as a canvas for his message. The news of their engagement spread fast!
(July 2014)(My grandparent's farm)
Built in the 1800's, the barn has the original hand hewed beams and wooden pegs. Much of the original slate roof still covers the structure.
(Life at the turn of the century- residents cutting ice on the Lily Pond at Lake St. Catherine with the barn in the horizon)(August 1978)The barn has stood for well over 200 years, and my dad has worked hard to see that the building continues to be a part of the local cultural heritage. So many historic barns in Vermont have fallen into disrepair and often a bit of our state's history disappears with the collapse of each barn. Over the past few years, my dad was able to reframe the structural beams, repair the crumbling foundation, repair part of the roofing slate, and repaint a large majority of the structure. In addition, load bearing partitions were added to the lower half of the barn, and commercial winery operations were built underneath the main structure. My dad has completed the construction work almost entirely on his own. Without his efforts, sections of the barn most likely would have collapsed. I, for one, can not imagine a drive near Lake St. Catherine without passing this historic landmark.
(November 2013)(Wine Production in the Cellar of the Barn)His dream is to see the restoration project complete, and we are now in the home stretch now that the structure has been stabilized. He would like to purchase the rest of the lumber to finish planking the floors in the main barn, and build bathroom facilities for our guests. Approximately 5,000 square feet of lumber will be needed to complete the project. Projected costs for lumber alone reach $6,000. My dad estimates that $2,000 is needed for restroom plumbing and facilities. We hope to have an additional $2,000 for miscellaneous building costs and labor costs so that my dad can hire some help.
I am hoping that together, we can help him raise the money to cover his supply costs. Once complete, we hope to host large events such as weddings, showers, anniversary parties and other community events. I ask you, our supporters, to help us make the final repairs to the barn so that this landmark can continue to be a part of the local history for years to come. Any gift would be greatly appreciated! Please help us share our page as well. Thank you!
Check out our webpage for more information about Whaleback Vineyard:
http://www.whalebackvineyard.com/
Find us on Facebook as well for updates about wines, events, or building progress.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Whaleback-Vineyard/210228905692769?fref=nf
Organizer
Jacinda Brown
Organizer
Poultney, VT
