The Barn Lady
Hi and welcome to my website. Thanks for stopping by.
It is a delight to know that there are dedicated “barn ladies” and “barn guys” across the U.S. and in other parts of the world. Some of you I’ve met only through cyberspace and others as together we’ve admired barn space. Thank you for all that you do and for the articles, photos and barn information you send my way.
As more people realize the many valid reasons for saving barns, more barns are being saved. One was even moved from Germany and rebuilt in Iowa. Barns are increasingly popular as wedding venues — do an online search and see what pops up.
Still, much more needs to be done to educate and influence realtors, insurance agents, developers, zoning officials, corporations, corporate agriculture, and even some preservationists, believe it or not, to see the importance of saving traditional barns. Barns are at the heart of what made America great.
The Barn Book
I recently had the pleasure of writing and providing photographs for a book on America’s barns, for Shire Publications, Oxford, England. Release -- August, 2013. If you want to be notified when it is available, email me.
Barn for Sale
My husband and I rescued this century-old English barn a few years ago.It was dismantled, tagged, and stored in 2008. Our intent was to make it our home but a number of circumstances have altered those plans. The pegged frame is sawn pine and is largely intact and in excellent condition. Full supports under the three bays are intact. About half of the siding has been saved as has much of the split fieldstone foundation. The barn measures 32 by 44. Much of the hardware, pegs, and hay carrier have been saved.
Our design for the barnhouse called for a large mudroom between the house and a two-car garage. The buyer of the frame has the option to purchase the engineer-approved house plans customized to retain the look and character of a barn. For more information, please contact us at 269-589-6893.
Barn Lovers
Please stop in at your nearest Tractor Supply store and pick up a free copy of the Spring 2013 issue of Out Here. There is a lot of good reading inside, especially something of special interest to you on pages 4 and 5 as well as on their website, TractorSupply.com/OutHere.
Barns Barns Barns
There are some three dozen barn organizations scattered across the country and more starting. There is also a National Barn Alliance and an international barn group. Some provide lists of barns available for rent, FAQs, and articles. If there isn’t a barn group in your area, start one. But remember, the most successful groups value the talents and energies everyone has to offer. Barns need all of us.
News!
The SpringHill Barn, which was moved from Walker, Michigan to Scotts, Michigan and given new life at Tillers International, is now complete with the installation in 2012 of its beautiful cupola.