Two Opportunities To See 'Barn Again'

By SHANNON HICKS

Published: Jul 22, 2005 12:00 am

Two Opportunities To See âBarn Againâ

The Smithsonianâs traveling exhibition âBarn Again! Celebrating an American Iconâ will be on view at two locations in Litchfield County this season, marking the culmination of the exhibitionâs travels.

Organized by the Smithsonianâs Traveling Exhibition Service, âBarn Again!â explores the barn as an American cultural and agricultural icon and looks at the origin and fate of the barn in its various roles as warehouse, factory and legend. The exhibition features an architectural model, photographs, popular culture objects and advertisements.

âBarn Again!â offers new ways to consider a familiar icon. The exhibition surveys the agricultural changes that led to architectural adaptations on the farm following major movements in American history such as 19th Century European westward migration.

Industrial farming in the 20th Century has rendered many traditional barns obsolete because they cannot accommodate the enormous machinery and harvests of todayâs large-scale farms. The loss of these architectural structures is changing forever the rural landscape and depriving citizena of important historical monuments.

âBarn Again!â is part of Museum on Main Street, a partnership of the Smithsonian and state humanities councils with rural America.

In conjunction with its Presidentâs Show, Kent Art Association and the Town of Kent are celebrating a town-wide theme of âBarn Again.â The traveling exhibit is being presented by Kent Historical Society.

The Gallery at Kent Art Association has agreed to be part of this event by challenging artists to create barn or farm related pieces of art (farm animals, equipment, produce, etc) for the Presidentâs Show, which will be on view July 29 until September 5. The showâs opening and awards reception on July 30 will include a special award to the best barn or farm related work in any medium.

KAA is also planning its 3rd Annual Paint-Out & Auction on Saturday, August 27, and is encouraging new paintings of barns whenever possible. Participants do not need to be members of KAA in order to participate in the event. Sign-in will begin at 9 am and artists have until 3 to finish their works and have them properly framed and wired for hanging.

A one-hour preview will run until 4 pm, at which time all works will be auctioned.

Registration for the paint-out is due by August 18 and the cost to participate is a non-refundable fee of $20. The paint-out will be held rain or shine. Contact KAA at 860-927-3989 or send email to kent.art.assoc@snet.net for full details.

Second Showing

Windsor will be the final site before âBarn Again!â is officially retired by the Smithsonian.

The exhibit will open at Windsor Historical Society on September 8 and continue through November 6. Displays and programs in Windsor will also explore the ins and outs of Windsorâs barns and outbuildings, bringing a local look to the nationally-touring exhibition.

In conjunction with âBarn Again!â the society will be mounting âShade Tobacco: A Diminishing Landscape,â an exhibition of images by local photographer Leonard Hellerman.

Windsor Historical Society is at 96 Palisado Avenue (Route 15) and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am until 4 pm. Admission is $3 for adults, $1 for students and children and free to members.

For information, visitÂ Â Â Â Â WindsorHistoricalSociety.org or call 60-688-3813.

Patricia Anzellotti

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It seems a lot of the discussion around the flagpole focuses on vilifying drivers who pass on the right, but the real issue is being overlooked. If Chapter 248 Section 14-251 were enforced, we wouldn’t see this problem to begin with. That statute prohibits stopping in the middle of a roadway to yield to cross traffic—as so often happens with cars waiting to turn from Church Hill. When vehicles stop illegally in the travel lane, they effectively create a blockage. Other drivers then either sit through unnecessary delays or carefully pass around them on the right, which is fully permitted when the vehicle ahead is “illegally parked” in the roadway. Instead of punishing drivers reacting to the obstruction, enforcement should focus on the cause: vehicles unlawfully stopping and backing up traffic in the first place. If that behavior were addressed, the need to “go around” would largely disappear.

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John, you raise an important point — these situations are tragic, complicated, and often far less clear-cut than the headlines make them seem. In the Fredericksburg case, the full facts still aren’t publicly known, and like so many of these stories, there’s conflicting information. It was apparently the back door at 3 a.m. — was it justified to use deadly force? We don’t know yet. What we do know is that the homeowner has been charged, and as you rightly noted, that is very serious. But this is also where perspective matters. These cases are quickly sensationalized in the news and on social media, yet when the dust settles, the outcomes are rarely publicized. People forget that in our system, you are innocent until proven guilty. Try to find much coverage of the convication in the case of the Fairfield Realtor vehicle homicide, or updates on the woman who shot her husband a couple of Christmases ago, or even the pedestrian death in Sandy Hook a year or so back. The follow-through simply isn’t there, and public opinion is often shaped only by the first round of headlines. At the end of the day, these situations remind us how split-second decisions in the middle of the night can change lives forever — which is exactly why the right to protect one’s property, home and family is so fiercely debated, and lucky constitutionally protected.

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First the low hanging fruit. Dave; it was a joke, please get over it. You are the only person in Newtown that thought I really wanted to build a stadium on 6 Commence Rd. Now on to Alex. You might not appreciate my writing style or my selection of words, but let's not loose sight of the fact that by responding to my letter in the manner that you did, you have removed any doubt whatsoever that you have no idea of the quantifiable benefits you are dismissing not only for the town, but also for protesters. Either you stopped listening at the word "ordinance" or you never started.. Your constitutional rights to assemble were never in question and would actually be strengthened and there would be literally no impediments. We could even title it "The Alex Villamil Ordinance" if you want. It could be your legacy and actually show Newtown your willingness to work in a bipartisan way for the betterment of the town. Businesses would be protected. Traffic wouldn't be interrupted. The town would save hundreds of thousands of dollars in police overtime. And maybe most importantly, the town could prevent another tragedy while mitigating legal risk in the event something terrible happens at a protest. Nothing bad could never happen in Newtown right? All that could be accomplished by a simple, non-intrusive ordinance unless all the detriments to our town are intentional in order to bring more attention to your cause. Alex, this was not me throwing a temper tantrum. Believe me, you will know it if that happens. I am just putting Newtown first. From that perspective, if you think critically, the regulation is necessary. It makes sense logically, rationally, and is reasonable. There is absolutely no down side. None. I would be willing to sit down with you to see if we could come to some type of compromise if you want. Let me know. You would be amazed how much you can accomplish when there is dialogue amongst neighbors.

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A popular prank circulating on TikTok is “ding-dong-ditch” where a group of young people violently bang or kick someone’s door late at night and then “ditch” or run. On May 3 three high schoolers here in Fredericksburg Va. were participating in such a prank. One homeowner assumed, as in this case, an attempted break in and also took measures to defend his family and property. As the youths were running away he fired, striking an 18 year old graduating senior in the back killing him and seriously injuring a second youth. A wasted life, a family shattered, and the homeowner charged with murder.

You’re absolutely right — no one should ever feel unsafe in their own home. Being startled awake by violent banging at your door late at night is no joke, and it’s a stark reminder that danger can come without warning. That’s why I’m thankful for the right to protect ourselves, our families, and our property. In a moment like that, you don’t get a second chance to call for help before you act — you have to be prepared. Our homes should be a place of peace, not fear, and the ability to defend them is a right worth safeguarding.

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