The Main Dairy Barn, also known as Building No. 88, is the central farm building on the Central Experimental Farm in Ottawa. It is a large three-storey banked barn building with a gable roof and two side wings. The exterior materials are stone, wood shingles, and board and batten.
It was designated a Classified Federal Heritage Building because of its strong associations with the history of dairy farming research in Canada. The barn is also architecturally important and is a significant landmark in the National Capital Region. This designation applies to the entire building and its site.
Stylistically, it is a picturesque and lively composition that draws from both shingle, and board and batten styles of architecture, as well as the traditional Ontario barn. Materials are well selected and handled. The Main Dairy Barn was built to resemble its predecessor (1887-88), which had set the design and materials patterns for the farm.
The barn, being experimental, was functionally well-considered and modern. Aesthetically, the Main Dairy Barn, in combination with the McNeely Residence (1889), the former Dominion Cerealist's and Husbandman's residences, and the Horse and Dry Cow Barn (1906), establish the visual character of the farm.
@happypat Yes - they do! The dairy herd is actually a working dairy herd and the income goes right back into the Experimental farm.
They milk Holsteins of course, but also Guernsey, Jersey, British Shorthorn, and Ayrshire. They keep awesome records, and do phenomenal breeding for various traits.
They have an exceptional herd.
They milk Holsteins of course, but also Guernsey, Jersey, British Shorthorn, and Ayrshire. They keep awesome records, and do phenomenal breeding for various traits.
They have an exceptional herd.