LIVERMORE – Trustees of the Washburn-Norlands Living History Center have voted to build a replica of the original circa 1867 barn.

It will replace a gambrel roof dairy barn built between 1912-1920 that burned last April.

In 1867, the Israel and Martha Washburn family built what would be their third home on the Livermore homestead, Norlands Executive Director and Trust President Kathy Beauregard said. That home, called Norlands, included an Italianate mansion, attached ell and farmhouse, and a hip-roofed barn, she said.

Historians, architects and volunteers are conducting research to accurately portray the exterior of the structure. The building team has also been looking at barns of similar construction and barns within 5 miles of the Norlands to ascertain what the regional joinery and framing methods might have been, she said.

They’re hoping the historic preservation and farming communities may be able to point them in the right direction, Beauregard said. Photos the center’s Web site, www.norlands.org, depict the Norlands circa 1867-1883 and the hip-roofed barn. Anyone who knows of a barn that may help designers and builders is asked to call Beauregard at 897-4366.

The first draft of the barn will be on display from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 6 during the Norlands Christmas festival.

The Washburns are considered one of the great political and industrial dynasties of the 19th century, according to Norlands Web site. Of the 10 children born to the Washburns, seven sons went on to serve as governors, congressmen, a U.S. senator, secretary of state, foreign ministers, a Civil War general and a Navy captain. As industrialists, the brothers’ achievements included founding the Washburn-Crosby Gold Medal Flour Co., inventing the typewriter, and serving as president of a railroad, the site states.

Today, Norlands is a multifaceted museum offering in-depth experiences in 18th and 19th century rural life.