Thursday, December 22, 2011

Tobacco Barns

Back in Hartford.  The Connecticut River valley north of Hartford has been the home of tobacco-growing farms for 150 years.  Tobacco is grown under netting in the spring and early summer.  After harvesting, it cures in sheds like these.  Connecticut Shade Tobacco's broad leaves are used for wrapping premium cigars.

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25 comments:

  1. brattcatDecember 22, 2011 at 6:29 AM

    we pass sheds like these every time we go to the airport. nicely done, jack.

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  2. LowellDecember 22, 2011 at 6:30 AM

    I had no idea tobacco was grown in Ct. Very interesting. I'd love a premium cigar right now - actually, I'd love just about any cigar right now. Unfortunately, I don't smoke cigars anymore. My doctor says that's a "no-no" and I always do what my doctor says!

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  3. KateDecember 22, 2011 at 6:37 AM

    That's a fair number of shed so this farm must yield quite a bit of that cancer-bearing stuff.

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  4. VPDecember 22, 2011 at 7:07 AM

    I like this dark kind of red.

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  5. PerthDailyPhotoDecember 22, 2011 at 7:59 AM

    I remember seeing tobacco sheds just like these when I lived in Central Africa Jack. I saw a program the other day where they were showing the many other things that you can use tobacco for apart from cigarettes and cigars. Apparently tobacco ash is excellent for keeping rats away, they don't like the smell.

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  6. SharonDecember 22, 2011 at 8:36 AM

    I'm wondering if you can smell the tobacco when you are near these barns.

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  7. Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.comDecember 22, 2011 at 8:36 AM

    I also was unfamiliar with Connecticut tobacco. I have a cigar-related post in my queue in about a week.

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  8. Luis GomezDecember 22, 2011 at 10:43 AM

    These are very interesting images Jack.

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  9. MalyssDecember 22, 2011 at 11:11 AM

    I thought tobacco came from south..The place seems very sad, all doors closed, noone around..

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  10. ChoppographyDecember 22, 2011 at 11:35 AM

    Very interesting. Shows what I know. I thought tobacco was a southern crop. I didn't know any grew north of the Carolinas. Neat barns, too.

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  11. LorelleDecember 22, 2011 at 12:10 PM

    I can't say I care much for tobacco, but the barns are beautiful!

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  12. Sylvia KDecember 22, 2011 at 12:19 PM

    What an interesting post, Jack! I didn't know tobacco was grown in Connecticut either -- always thought it was a purely southern product. Shows what happens when you think you know so much!!! I'm not a smoker, but I do love those red barns! Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas!!

    Sylvia

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  13. cieldequimperDecember 22, 2011 at 1:07 PM

    Joining the list of those who didn't know. I love the weathered barn look.

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  14. RedPatDecember 22, 2011 at 1:48 PM

    There is a large tobacco-growing area in Ontario too but with the drop in cigarette sales many of the farmers are changing their fields over to other crops and using the sheds for other things!

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  15. Regina KDecember 22, 2011 at 6:03 PM

    We have an old tobacco barn around Kansas City, I toured a barn and found the information quite interesting. I was surprised to find one in our area and now seeing Hartford's I imagine they are in many more areas of country. The read paint on the bottom photo is spectacular.

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  16. KayDecember 22, 2011 at 6:22 PM

    Looks like you've informed a lot of us today, Jack. I too thought tobacco was a more southerly crop. Can't say I'm a tobacco fan, but the barns have their own charm.

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  17. sheila lynchDecember 22, 2011 at 8:41 PM

    when I was a youngster ( a century ago:) growing up in East Longmeadow, one of the only ways for under 16 to make money was to pick tobacco in the summer, long hot grueling work. Most of my friends did, I babysat. I love the simplicity of the barns, great shots

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  18. MichelleDecember 22, 2011 at 9:59 PM

    There are many tobacco barns in my area. They are painted black and I love the slats/doors that help dry out the leaf.

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  19. ShannonDecember 22, 2011 at 10:10 PM

    I'll echo the other thoughts here, very interesting post!

    I won't be back online for a few days, so I wanted to wish you a warm, Merry Christmas and the best life has to offer in 2012. I'm looking forward to catching up on your photos again when I get back : - )

    Shannon (used to do the Sequim photo blog)

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  20. RandyDecember 22, 2011 at 11:18 PM

    These are huge. Must house alot of tobacco.

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  21. VirginiaDecember 22, 2011 at 11:32 PM

    I guess tobacco farms aren't so PC these days. I love the rough texture and color of these barns though.
    V

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  22. jooDecember 23, 2011 at 2:23 AM

    They look nice:)

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  23. DawnDecember 23, 2011 at 3:34 PM

    Nice color in these. Didn't realize they had farms for tobacco set up like this. It's quaint:)

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  24. SRQDecember 24, 2011 at 9:48 AM

    Interesting. I'm with Lowell -- I didn't know tobacco is grown in CT. Love the weathered look of the barns.

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  25. UnknownMarch 4, 2020 at 10:24 AM

    I have been curious about the barns for years. Now that they are being demolished I thought I would check out the story. Sad about the barns being gone, hopefully it's a sign that people are smoking less.

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