Traveling you tend to observe things that you may have seen a million times, but now in a different light.  My observation was that no matter where we have gone throughout the states there are pastures and fields scattered with barn structures.  The majority of these are painted red. This sparked my curiosity so I had to find out why.  I researched this and upon doing so I discovered that back in the early 1800’s the mixture of ferrous oxide (rust) and linseed oil was used as a cheap and effective wood sealant. Not only did it protect the wood from insects, molds etc. the red color also absorbed and trapped heat therefore keeping them warmer in winter. Even after paints were commercially made in the later 1800’s, barns remained being painted red as a symbol of the North American farming heritage. So, next time you see a red barn you will be reminded of our ancestors that help build our great farms across the nation.