Milking Parlor

The milking parlor came into use during the World War II era. Under the older system, human milkers moved from cow to cow, and carried milk from barn to milk house. With milking parlors, the cow moved to the milking machine. The equipment was frequently organized such that the human attendant did not have to stoop, nor to move from one cow to another, nor even collect milk, since it was pumped directly to cans or bulk tanks. Milking parlors were low, relatively small, usually concrete block structures appended to a barn, sometimes integrated in a newer barn.

Milking parlor, Crawford County, 20th century
Milking parlor, Crawford County, 20th century

Milking parlor, Peters Township, Franklin County, c. 1950-70
Milking parlor, Peters Township, Franklin County, c. 1950-70.
A walkway links the parlor to the barn.