About Us

The Barn was not originally built to be a restaurant. It really was a barn! Dating back to about 1870, the Barn was home to 14 milking cows who spent their time on the lower level in what is now the tavern. The two centrally located posts still show signs of the cows rubbing up against them. Prior to World War II, the old dirt road took travelers past the North side of the building, leaving the cows free to pasture and drink along the Flower Brook.

After 70 years of housing the cows, things started to change. Progress, in the form of route 30, was laid to the South. The Barn was then used as a warehouse for hay & sawdust. Although rumor has it that this was just a front for a bootleg whiskey stash.

By the end of the 1960’s, Dot Kaveny, with a big dose of dreams & guts, bought the Barn with a vision to see it turned into a restaurant. In December of 1972 the doors were open and the new restaurant serving Pawlet & the surrounding communities was a hit!

Where once a silo stood, there is now a two-story fireplace. The addition of a coat room & welcoming foyer was added in the 1980’s. As each successive owner added to the building and placed their own touch on it, The Barn continued to thrive.

In July of 2023, Pawlet native Le Ann Rees & her partner, Christopher Wirt bought the restaurant from Mark & Margaret McChesney. The McChesney’s had stewardship of The Barn for over 25 years before Le Ann & Chris took the reins. With dreams of continuing the legacy of The Barn and making it the best that it has ever been, Chris & Le Ann continue to develop food, drink & ambiance to serve both the local community and travelers from near and far.

We hope you enjoy your visit and come back to see us again soon!

Christopher Wirt & Le Ann Rees