“Some people might agree that the physical aspects of a barn possess spiritual qualities similar to those of a church. Indeed, while standing in a barn one does get a sense of quiet reverence as light filters through the narrow spaces of the boards.”

Mary Keithan, author, Michigan Heritage Barns

Barns & Their Stories

  • Amish Children

    Amish Children
    Amish friends allowed me to photograph children at play one afternoon when numerous families had gathered to help an elderly couple settle into their new home. When all the children wanted to be photographed I suggested they decide how I could get them all into one image. Within seconds this was the moment to be treasured again and again.

  • Amish Children

    Amish Children

  • Contrast

    Contrast
    Barns and a way of life are threatened by development of all kinds in many places.

  • Near Tillers

    Clinging Vines
    Clinging vines do terrible damage to barns as they break apart siding, hold moisture and add weight. This Michigan barn has an unusual resident. Can you spot him?

  • Of course this image was captured inside a barn. Don't all barns look like this?

  • Sunlight streams into this barn in a whole new way and a beautiful barn has a whole new life.

  • You can make a difference in saving a heritage barn. This beautiful Battle Creek barn was once nearing death from neglect. People came together to give it new life in a new location. Never say never!

  • Charlevoix Barn

  • Benedict Barn

  • Benedict Barn

  • Benedict Barn

  • Gould City Barn

  • Barn Collections
    Barns have a tendency to become collection sites for "stuff." You never know what you may find.

  • It's About the Future
    The famous Ellis Barn, a "Madawaska Twin Barn," in southeast Michigan enjoys life anew in Springfield Oaks County Park, where future generations, including these youngsters, can enjoy it for many many years to come. Old barns need not be lost to development if people work together with determination and vision.

  • A Diamond in the Rough
    The frame on this barn remains sound. A new roof and some cleaning up, especially to remove the damaging vines that are tearing apart the siding, could achieve wonders and give this heritage barn new life.

  • 14-Sided Barn
    A rare and still-being-used 14-sided barn in Kentucky's Bourbon County. This one is known as the Goffland Barn and was built at the turn of the last century.

  • Where Am I?
    Can anyone tell me where this barn makes its home?
    Hint: somewhere in the Hastings, Michigan area!

  • Alien Invasion?
    Is this evidence of an alien invasion? The underside of a spacecraft? No, it is light filtering through the top of a wooden silo, centered in a 14-sided barn in Kentucky. Such craftsmanship and beauty!

  • Dutch Barns
    Some refer to this barn in the Holland, Michigan, area as a Dutch barn. Others say it is just an elongated gambrel-roofed barn. I couldn't tell you for sure, but it's big and beautiful!

  • Stone Silo
    Simply beautiful, isn't it?

  • Upper Peninsula Treasure
    It seems incomprehensible to people who cherish vistas like this that anyone could ever choose to destroy them, but that is the goal of those who want to create mines on the Menominee River. History bears out that the damage to the environment would be permanent and toxic. What you see in this image is the treasure. Once lost, forever gone.

  • My Grandfather's Barn
    This tiny log barn in Michigan's Menominee County was built by my Grandpa Palmer at the turn of the last century. It needs a loving home because it is falling into severe disrepair and the man who now owns the farm has no interest in it or its history. I'd adopt it and bring it to Lower Michigan if I could. There are many wonderful memories associated with this barn... hugging calves, catching chickens, and walking across the driveway from the barn to the old farmhouse at night holding Grandpa's hand feeling safe, secure and loved.