What does the future hold?
The future of the unique historic barn at the Haddam-Killingworth High School is uncertain.
The Haddam Historical Society and Preservation Connecticut have been meeting with RSD #17 officials for over 6 months to review and discuss the future of this architecturally significant barn which is a tangible testament to our community’s strong agricultural past.
The barn is a rare specimen of an English barn with hipped roof influenced by the Hubbard House at 91 Little City Road (currently the home of Youth and Family Services and HK Recreation Department). Cubed in form with a highly decorative cupola the barn displays board and batten siding.
Historically the barn is associated with the Hubbard Family and later Eastern European immigrants who farmed the area and made buttons on adjacent streams. The property was a working farm up until it was sold to build Haddam Junior High School in the 1960s.
Unfortunately, the barn has fallen into disrepair from years of deferred maintenance and neglect. Since the summer of 2025 three engineers have surveyed at the barn. One hired by the school district and two employed by Preservation Connecticut. They all said the barn could be saved. Cirrus Structural Engineering toured the barn on January 8, 2026 and found that 75% (or more) of the barn’s primary timber framing appears to remain in sound condition. In the preservation world this extent of damage is considered repairable and does not meet the threshold for demolition. Cirrus goes on to say the building could be stabilized for a period of two years while long-term preservation and use plans are developed. To stabilize the property is approximately $20,000. The school district has budgeted $40,000 plus to demolish it.
We testified at the Board of Education meeting last night (January 20) and asked them to consider stabilizing the building while “a collective we” look into funding and possible alternative uses for the building. The barn could make a great history learning lab, environmental/agricultural science center, or a workshop for learning the historic building restoration trade. The educational opportunities are endless.
We believe restoring this building and preserving a vital part of Haddam’s past is a chance for RSD #17 to set a good example of historic building stewardship while creating a unique learning environment. It was suggested that they fold the barn rehab into the overall high school renovation project as a relatively small financial expense but a large goodwill gesture to the community.
The Haddam Historical Society has offered to assist in research and potential funding.
