Grand Opening to Celebrate
the Restoration and Re-opening of the Shepherd Barn
the Restoration and Re-opening of the Shepherd Barn
Saturday, August 19, 2023
2 to 4 pm
2 to 4 pm
Explore the Barn ~ Meet our Experts ~ Amazing Artifacts
Cool History ~ Fun Activities for Kids
Cool History ~ Fun Activities for Kids
Free Herrell's ice cream, watermelon & cold drinks
All welcome! Rain or Shine.
All welcome! Rain or Shine.
Parking Information
Only limited handicap-accessible parking is available at Historic Northampton.
Guests may park along Bridge Street and in the lots for the Bridge Street School.
Only limited handicap-accessible parking is available at Historic Northampton.
Guests may park along Bridge Street and in the lots for the Bridge Street School.
About the Barn
The Shepherd Barn at Historic Northampton was built in 1805 -1806, when Thomas Jefferson was in his second term as President of the United States and with timbers that began growing at least a century earlier.
From the 1850s to the 1920s, the building was used as a horse barn and carriage house by the Shepherd family, who lived in the house in front along Bridge Street. After the death of Thomas Shepherd (who designed Northampton's city seal), his widow--Edith Shepherd--used the barn mainly for storage.
After her passing, from the 1970s to early 2000s, Historic Northampton refashioned the barn as an exhibit space, gift shop, blacksmith studio, and book bindery.
Almost a decade ago, Historic Northampton began planning for the building's restoration. The sills and floor joists were rotted, and some of the upper timbers were compromised.
Thanks to the input of dozens of experts--artists, architects, contractors, conservators, engineers, timber framers, and more--and the support of hundreds of donors, the Barn will re-open to the public on August 19. It will function as a multipurpose space--a place for exhibits, a meeting and gathering place for workshops and community events, and as a small, one-of-a-kind performance venue.
From the 1850s to the 1920s, the building was used as a horse barn and carriage house by the Shepherd family, who lived in the house in front along Bridge Street. After the death of Thomas Shepherd (who designed Northampton's city seal), his widow--Edith Shepherd--used the barn mainly for storage.
After her passing, from the 1970s to early 2000s, Historic Northampton refashioned the barn as an exhibit space, gift shop, blacksmith studio, and book bindery.
Almost a decade ago, Historic Northampton began planning for the building's restoration. The sills and floor joists were rotted, and some of the upper timbers were compromised.
Thanks to the input of dozens of experts--artists, architects, contractors, conservators, engineers, timber framers, and more--and the support of hundreds of donors, the Barn will re-open to the public on August 19. It will function as a multipurpose space--a place for exhibits, a meeting and gathering place for workshops and community events, and as a small, one-of-a-kind performance venue.
Historic Northampton thanks our donors and
the many dedicated people who worked to restore the barn.
the many dedicated people who worked to restore the barn.
Emptying the Barn: Inventory, Cataloging, and Storing Historic Artifacts
Artifact Conservation
Pulling the Barn to Build a Secure Foundation: November 5, 2022
Pulling the Barn Back: January 23, 2023
The Barn Ell Reconstruction: February 19, 2023
Timber Frame Preparation
The Timber Frame Barn Addition: March 26, 2023
At Work
