Virginia Horse Center
Lexington VA
2008

In rural architecture, cupolas were originally a necessary ventilation system for keeping livestock cool and dry. Warm, humid – and most commonly – smelly air rises to the barn's high ceilings. A cupola's open vents (louvers) allow the air to escape.

Weathervanes on barns were originally a functional necessity, helping farmers predict the weather and know how to plant their crops for the best harvest. As weathervanes grew in popularity, farmers started choosing unique designs that highlighted a prominent feature of their farm or a prize winning animal.