A Barn and a Strip Mall: A Cautionary Tale

The humble New Hampshire barn was once a center of public life. In the 1700's, farmers used them not just to keep livestock but to hold town meetings and religious services. But today, that romantic image is a far cry from the controversies these unpretentious buildings can stir up. In Bedford, the fate of Priscilla Curry's barn pitted preservationists against property owners. Kevin Gardner tells a story that ultimately has a happy ending, but getting there tested a town's ingenuity and civility.