060-0386

Blankenship Farm

VLR Listing Date

06/20/1989

NRHP Listing Date

11/13/1989

NRHP Reference Number

89001808

The Blankenship Farm complex in Montgomery County was established in the early 20th century by H. Cephus Reed. The residence is a conventional foursquare dwelling. Highly unconventional, however, is the fourteen-sided barn built by Reed in 1929. The visually striking structure, covered by a spreading faceted roof, was inspired by agricultural writings of the period that espoused the economy of round or polygonal barns. Such barns, it was claimed, were more practical than rectangular barns since less distance between work stations was involved for barn workers, and such structures required fewer materials and took less time to build. Though a reaction to rectangular barns, round and polygonal barns never really caught on. Despite its shape, the Reed barn on the Blankenship Farm uses two traditional features, an interior center aisle, and an attached concrete silo.

The Blankenship Farm was listed in the registers under the Prehistoric and Historic Resources of Montgomery County MPD.

Last Updated: June 2, 2023

Many properties listed in the registers are private dwellings and are not open to the public, however many are visible from the public right-of-way. Please be respectful of owner privacy.

Abbreviations:
VLR: Virginia Landmarks Register
NPS: National Park Service
NRHP: National Register of Historic Places
NHL: National Historic Landmark

For additional information Read

Nomination Form

060-0008

Pilot School

Montgomery (County)

154-0008

Montgomery White Sulphur Springs Cottage

"Virginia's Lost" Delisted Landmarks

060-0547

Elijah Murdock Farm

"Virginia's Lost" Delisted Landmarks