Delightful Dairy Barn Conversion

The late Skitch Henderson, pianist, composer and former music director for the Tonight Show, never really considered living outside the hustle and bustle of New York City.

But his wife, Ruth, had some investment property in New Milford, Conn., which needed attention, so in 1972 they left the bright lights behind and moved to the country. Before long they were operating The Silo, a combination cooking school, art gallery and gourmet market.

Ruth still makes her home in a 6,000-square-foot former dairy barn and grain silo. The interior features a light fixture created from the original hay hoist. Other unique touches include cow stanchions and a soaring cathedral ceiling that shows off the old rafters from the barn.

The building is also a testament to Skitch's long music career, including his an original Mozart libretto and a magnificent pipe organ in the hayloft.