The barn and the cowshed

In the past, farm buildings were located at a safe distance to each other due to the danger of fire. Over time, it became more practical to put barns and cowsheds together. The size of the cowsheds could vary and they usually did not have windows. It could be difficult to do the milking without light. The milkmaid would often work by the light of a piece of burning fatwood placed on a stone slab or held by a child. Windows arrived eventually, together with the sjåskinnslykt, a square lantern with panes made of animal intestines and a tallow candle inside. There was no fire or running water in the cowshed. Water was carried in buckets, usually from the eldhus. The barn is constructed of hexagonal logs, and it has two floors and is divided into three large rooms. A bridge goes up to the threshing floor, and the barns at each end are for storing grain and hay. In the corridors on both sides of the bridge, leaf sheaves were stored. Threshing took place in early winter; this was often done by hired labourers. Grain was not abundant, so it was important that the floor was sound and nothing was wasted. Today, the barn is a showroom for agricultural tools and branding axes.