the granary was an essential outbuilding for storing corn, flour, peas, beans, meat, milk, honey, and other foodstuffs. Other storehouses were used for keeping clothes and other household articles and for sleeping in during the summer.

In the second half of the 19th century, farms usually had two storehouses: one for grain and the other for clothes. In southern Estonia and on the islands, there were often up to five or six different storehouses. On the islands, various storehouses were usually built under one roof.

The construction of storehouses somewhat differed from that of the barn dwellings. The walls of the storehouse usually rested on stones so that the wind could blow under the floor and keep the room dry. Storehouses have always had wooden floors (half logs at first and later on boards), overhanging eaves and a door step. Tools could be sheltered under the eaves and it was a place to work on rainy days. On the coast, fish were dried there and on summer evenings it also provided shelter for the village lads who had come to court the girls sleeping inside.

Storehouses were more ornate than other farm buildings. The supporting corners were cut slanting or curving. The wide eaves were often supported with pillars. Special attention was paid to the doors, which had to be strong. Storehouse doors were the first to have locks and wooden linings.

The storehouse was connected with a number of rituals and beliefs. In southwestern Estonia, Tõnn’s (sacrificial) bushel was kept in the granary, and in Setumaa, an effigy of Peko. It was hoped that these would improve the harvest. Symbols warding off evil spirits were also carved onto the walls of the storehouse. When the granary was emptied, a handful of grain was always thrown back to ensure that good fortune would not forsake the farm.