Madawaska Twin Barn

Abstract

Virtually unique to the upper St. John Valley of Maine, the Madawaska twin barn is a large structure consisting of two parallel sections joined to form an “H.” Although the form has its origin in a restricted barn building tradition of nineteenth century Quebec, oral history research and detailed survey suggest that the barn is not the product of direct diffusion. Rather it is a symbol of French Canadian culture adopted during the period between the 1880s and 1930s when French valley residents were eager to assert their “Franco-American” identity. The Madawaska twin barn displays some affinity to American barns in Aroostook County and particularly the Yankee symbol, the connecting barn. However, its appearance is also French Canadian. The distribution of the twin barn defines an area of French Canadian and American interaction which remains distinct.