Corncribs have been part of farms here since the 1700s. They were built to store corn safely and keep rodents out. Farmers let corn dry in the fields and then stored it in the crib after husking it—often at husking bees where neighbors helped out.

Early corncribs were made of logs with raised floors and gaps for air to flow through. Some had slanted walls or overhangs to protect the door. Later, sawed lumber and better roofing like tin or shingles were used.

Many corncribs had two storage areas with a middle space for wagons. Some were added onto barns or built with granaries. By the 1900s, taller, thinner cribs helped corn dry faster.

While modern farmers use metal corncribs today, many small farms in West Virginia still use old wooden ones.