It is actually an octagonal shape, which meets criteria to be defined as a round barn. It is significant for its incorporation of fieldstone into the random limestone foundation and its transition to new, lighter wood framing. The barn was built by Silas Dean who purchased the property in 1867 who created the windmill-type ventilation system, which was evidence of the experimentation with round barn design. There are also wings to the barn, one of which was more instrumental to the structure. By 1904, the barn was owned by William Armstrong who didn't feel that the windmill was very effective and took it out and built the stave silo on concrete foundations.[1]