Fisk Farm

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Islander, August 1995

Restoration of Fisk Barn In Isle La Motte

by Linda Vaughn Fitch
A dream came true last fall when, encouraged by many friends, I bought the Fisk horse and carriage barn and 10 acres of land. The barn and land had originally been part of Fisk Farm on Isle La Motte owned by my family since 1970.

In some sense the barn has always belonged to the entire community. The history of Fisk Farm (visited by President McKinley and later by Vice President Teddy Roosevelt who was here when he learned that McKinley had been shot) has made it a landmark on the island. Many residents have told me that they played in it as children, exploring the wonderful old stalls, the expansive, spacious loft.

The barn with leaking roof, rotting beams and sills, was suffering the fate of many Vermont barns whose hardworking owners cannot put in time and money to maintain them. This barn in particular was a masterpiece of craftsmanship with handhewn beams, mortise and tenon joints, tongue and groove planking and wallboard, beaded wainscotting ceiling boards, and curved wooden stancheons.

For information on Fisk Farm, please send email to Fisk Farm.

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