Brickend barn decorations

There have been far too many heated debates about the purpose of decoration among the Pennsylvania Dutch. Some say it’s “just for nice,” others point to deeper meanings — even back to pagan symbolism. I think, sometimes, it’s both-and. Things need not be in such a this-or-that oppositional stance. We can see this clearly in the decorations on brick-end barns.  

Brickend barn with diamond decoration

In the middle of the 19th century, brickend barns increased among the Pennsylvania Dutch, as opposed to the usual wooden ones. They were more costly but made use of the burgeoning brick production of the 19th century.

Brickend barn with diamond/star and rectangle decorations

Barns need ventilation, but rather than just put in random holes between the bricks, some devised decorations that ranged from sheaves of wheat to humans. These new brickends presented a canvas for decoration and the Pennsylvania Dutch builders let loose their skills. I still have to make plans to see the famous man-riding-on-the-mule barn near Greencastle, Franklin County.

Gottlieb (12 September 2025), The Bullfrog Inn