Stone Barns of America

“Drive down any country road and you’re likely to come across a barn that has seen better days, its frame warped and weathered, its paint peeling, its roof caving in, its door hinges rusted, its windows broken. In other words, you’re likely to see what the rest of the world considers an eyesore. But that’s not what Robert Kroeger sees. He sees past the decay and delves into a barn’s stories, its history, its former utility, glory even. He sees immigrant families making their way in a new world, he sees a burgeoning country being fed, he hears the echoes of a fading way of life. Look at Robert and one might see only a retired dentist. But look more closely and you’ll see an artist, historian, preservationist and storyteller. Those of us enthralled by the past are lucky to have him.”

“Just as farming was essential to the settlement and prospering of our nation, so too were barns essential to farming. Our country’s surviving barns are testimonials to our agricultural past and barns built of stone are surely the most enduring examples. From the early stone barns of Pennsylvania to the great estate barns of the late 19th to the early 20th century, Robert Kroeger has captured their essence in delightful paintings as well as their place in history.” 

“Stone barns not only tell the story of our past but also remind us of the vital connection between people, land, and community. Stone Barns of America is a profound tribute to this heritage and a call to ensure these treasures endure for future generations.” 

“With his barn series, Robert Kroeger is doing fine work chronicling a disappearing part of rural American history. His admiration of the architecture and the role of barns in the development of the nation in its first 150 years is evident in his diligent research and pastoral paintings.”