Date of erection: Circa 1850 (HABS No. MD-226-N) or 1845 per the National Park.
A corn crib or corncrib is a type of granary used to dry and store corn. After the harvest, corn, still on the cob, is placed in the crib either with or without the husk. The typical corn crib has slats in its walls to allow air to circulate through the corn, both allowing it to dry initially and helping it stay dry.
The 1843 plat of the Hampton estate indicates that there were two "Corn Houses" north of the Mule Barn (HABS No. MD-226-0) . No structures were shown on the site of the existing corn crib.
ARCHITECTURAL INFORMATION
A. General Statement:
1. Architectural character: This unusually large, one-story gabled roof Corn Crib has a central, east doorway with a smaller door over it and small square grain fill holes on the other elevations.
2. Condition of the fabric: The structure is in a deteriorating condition.
B, Description of Exterior:
1. Overall dimensions: The structure measures 22'~2" x 42'-2".
2. Foundations: Ashlar stone masonry foundations extend the long dimension of the building and are on spread stone footings.
3. Wall construction, finish and color: The wood frame structure is sheathed with horizontally applied 1" x 4 3/4" beveled wood slats spaced 5" on center. The siding has weathered to a natural color,
4. Structural system: Four equally spaced 8" x 10" wood posts at the long elevations are mortised into 8" x 10" sills. The posts are infilled with 4" x 10" studs, 2'-0" on center. 8" x 10" beams supported on diagonal braces span between the posts which carry the wall plates and the roof structure.
5. Porches: A wood platform and three steps are located at the east doorway. A board nailed to the walling and paralleling the run of the steps forms a hand rail.
6. Chimneys: None
7. Openings: a. Doorways and doors: The east doorway is hung with a board and batten door and has a smaller board and batten door over it, above a plain transom barb. Windows and shutters: Though there are no windows there are small grain fill holes. One open fill hole is located at the south elevation. Three fill holes are equally spaced on the west elevation, with higher fill holes over the central and north openings.
8. Roof:
a. Shape and covering: The gable roof is covered with wood shingles.
b. Cornice and eaves: The widely overhanging eaves have a plain facia board and the east verge facia is cut in a jig-saw cut pattern, which is largely deteriorated.
C. Description of Interior:
1. Floor plan: The east bay of the building forms a vestibule which is partially subdivided and opens into a long corridor with flanking storage areas.
2. Stairways: None
3. Flooring: The floor is random width boards, 9" to 14" wide.
4. Wall and ceiling finish: Typically, the outside walls are sheathed with spaced 1" x 3" wood slats with a 1" x 12" beveled wood water table. The 5" x 8" studding of the interior partitions is sheathed with 1" x 9" to 14" boards spaced 2" apart. In the vestibule a 4'-l" high wainscot is constructed from 5" to 15" wide boards. The ceiling is exposed roof structure.
5. Doorways and doors: Board and batten doors exist between the vestibule and the central corridor, and the corridor and the storage areas.
6. Special decorative features: Grain access holes are located in the corridor partitions.
7. Hardware: The doors have strap iron hinges hung on pintles.
8. Mechanical equipment: None D. Site and Surroundings: The Corn Crib is located to the south of the Mule Barn and west of the private lane which extends northerly through the property.
* BYOP
