A corn exchange (Commonwealth English) or grain exchange (North American English) was a building where farmers and merchants traded cereal grains. Such trade was common in towns and cities across Great Britain and Ireland until the 19th century, but as the trade became centralised in the 20th century many such buildings were used for other purposes. Several have since become heritage sites.
The name corn refers to all cereal grains in most varieties of English, not only to maize as in North America.
For the history of corn exchanges, see:
- grain trade
- Commodity market and
- Commodities exchange
Famous quotes containing the words corn and/or exchange:
“Those poor farmers who came up, that day, to defend their native soil, acted from the simplest of instincts. They did not know it was a deed of fame they were doing. These men did not babble of glory. They never dreamed their children would contend who had done the most. They supposed they had a right to their corn and their cattle, without paying tribute to any but their governors. And as they had no fear of man, they yet did have a fear of God.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
“Let every woman ask herself: “Why am I the slave of man? Why is my brain said not to be the equal of his brain? Why is my work not paid equally with his? Why must my body be controlled by my husband? Why may he take my labor in the household, giving me in exchange what he deems fit? Why may he take my children from me? Will them away while yet unborn?” Let every woman ask.”
—Voltairine Decleyre (1866–1912)