Barn Preservation Workshop Planned
JASPER, Ind. – Ohio and Indiana barn enthusiasts striving to preserve history through the restoration of old barns and other vintage structures have the opportunity to attend a BARN AGAIN! Workshop in southern Indiana, March 5-6.
The preservation workshop will take place at the Dubois County Museum, 2704 Newton Street, Jasper, Indiana, from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. throughout each day. The cost of the workshop is $60 per person for both days, $45 for March 5 only and $20 for March 6 only. The two-day registration fee includes lunch, an information packet, barn tour, membership in Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana, and special pricing for entrance to the National Maple Syrup Festival, which is being held in conjunction with the workshop.
The workshop is sponsored by Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana, Preserve Dubois County, and Historic Southern Indiana.
“Good farmers know never to waste anything, and that includes old farm buildings, but sometimes vintage structures need adaptation to function efficiently with modern agricultural equipment,” said Greg Sekula, director of Historic Landmarks Southern regional office. “Across Indiana, barns of all ages and types have been successfully rehabilitated for modern farming and other uses.”
The BARN AGAIN! Workshop offers practical solutions for maintaining, rehabilitating and adapting old barns for today’s needs, said Sekula. The workshop covers the history and structural technology of barns and describes successful and creative reuses. The workshop is based on the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s BARN AGAIN! program.
During the two-day workshop, entrepreneurs will share their experiences in creating businesses in which their rehabilitated barns were central. Experts will also discuss financial incentives for barn rehabilitation, as well as sources for labor and materials. In addition, a tour of historic barns through various Indiana counties will be included.
Registration deadline is Feb. 28. To register or for more information, contact the Southern Regional Office of Historic Landmarks Foundation at 812-284-4534 or e-mail jmartin@historiclandmarks.org, or visit http://www.historiclandmarks.org.
In conjunction with the BARN AGAIN! workshop is a Barns to Homes Tour in Dubois County on March 5. The tour offers a look at barns or barn remnants that were converted into home features. The registration is $20 per person which includes transportation, a light reception and membership in Preserve Dubois County.
Registration deadline for the Barnes to Homes Tour is Feb. 26. To register or for more information, contact the Southern Regional Office of Historic Landmarks.
Ohio’s BARN AGAIN! effort, Friends of Ohio Barns, can be found at http://ohiobarns.osu.edu. The effort is supported by Ohio State University Extension and Ohio Historical Society Preservation Office.
Editor’s Note: This article was provided as a news release from the Communications and Technology unit of Ohio State University's College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.