The large barn on the property is used as an educational center and a staff research area. It is a modern replica of a "provisional barn," similar to others found in this region.

Provisional barns were not used for livestock but rather for the storage of food, grain, clothing, other household articles, and various implements and tools. As a peddler, James Latta may also have used a large barn, of a somewhat different style, for storing his stock in trade.

Numerous items would have been stored in sealed barrels. So many barrels were used that being a cooper was a monetarily rewarding trade and many young boys earned pocket change supplying coopers with cut saplings used to make barrel hoops.

Penney's, the fishery in which James owned a half-interest is now under the waters of Eagle Mountain Lake. Nets and fishtraps would have been used to catch shad, bass, and other native species. Perhaps some of these would also have been stored in the barn, if it had been available.