During the height of Rhode Island's Leaf Season, take a trip out to the country to visit a variety barns representing a range of styles, ages and uses. From workshop to retail shop, from horse barn to sheep barn, the self guided Great Barns of Glocester Tour allows a peek inside some of the town's oldest and newest barn structures.

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Older barns were usually built from lumber sawed from timber on the farm, although stone barns were sometimes built in New England and other areas where stone was a cheaper building material. Though modern barns are typically steel buildings, prior to the 1900s, most barns were timber framed (also known as post and beam) forming very strong structures to withstand storms and heavy loads of animal feed. From about 1900 to 1940, many large dairy barns were built in northern USA, having the classic gambrel roofs we tend to associate with barns. This double-angled roof design maximized the size of the hayloft above the dairy roof.

Visitors taking the one-day self-guided tour on will be able access private property to visit a wide variety of barns.

Situated at the end of a long and winding private road is Pete Bissel's barn, the oldest barn on the tour, constructed before 1800. Originally built to house animals, the barn now is home to old tools, many of which are still are not identified. During the 1938 hurricane the barn lifted off its foundation and twisted before landing! The owner had a neighbor come with a team of oxen and winches to maneuver it back into position.

Glen and Diane Drew's massive barn dates to approximately 1851 and features the original chestnut beams harvested from the property. Also on the property is the honey house and remnants of an old ice shack. This property is a testament to the agricultural ancestry of the area. Today the barn is home to several horses and Ingrid, the nicest donkey in the North East.

Visitors on the tour may notice that many barns in Glocester have been painted red with a white trim. One possible reason for this is that ferric oxide, commonly called rust, which is used to create red paint, was the cheapest and most readily available chemical for farmers in New England and nearby areas. It was mixed with spoiled milk to make a bright red paint that farmers could pay next to nothing to create.

Also featured on the property is the barn at Pilot Point Equestrian Center. The property dates pre-Revolutionary War and was home to Glocester's Poor Farm. It's been reported that spirits of some of the previous residents still walk the property grounds. Today it is home to many horses and a full service equestrian center.

Seldom-Seen Farm is appropriately named, since it was designed and built in the 1950's with a low profile to preserve the view of their seven-acre pond. On the tour on the 14th and you will be treated to sheep shearing!

This is just a sampling of the Great Barns of Glocester self guided tour. Your day begins at the Glocester Manton Library, 1137 Putnam Pike (Route 44) in the village of Chepachet. Purchase your tickets, pick up your tour map and you're on your way! Tickets are $10 ($20 maximum per family) and benefit the Glocester Manton Library. Your map will guide you to some of Glocester's most interesting privately owned barns.

Enjoy a beautiful fall day touring the northwest corner of the state. Each barn will be marked from the street and parking will be provided.

The 2009 Barn Tour is on Saturday, Oct 17 9am to 4pm.