Barn Preservation Network Marks 15 Years, Hosts Tour and Workshops
A friend surprised me recently with the gift of a tiny book, titled simply, Barns. What distinguishes
this one from others of that title in my collection is not just its size but that color photographs are accompanied by equally
colorful barn-themed verses. There are passages from E. B. White’s Charlotte’s Web, Emily Dickinson’s, “The
Sky is low-the Clouds are mean,” Carl Sandburg’s “The People, Yes,” and even from the autobiography of Benjamin
Franklin.
I especially like Theodore Roosevelt’s letters to his children. He writes of them pleading with him to play in the barn on a rainy day. “…I finally gave in…but hardly knew whether it was quite right for the President to be engaged in such wild romping as the next two hours saw. The barn is filled with hay….”
These sentiments taken together with those of everyday people I meet in my barn-related travels, prove that anyone can love a barn. A lady aptly named Faith, shared that she seeks refuge in her barn to pray. A soon-to-retire postmaster excitedly described his plans to restore the family barn to honor his father and grandfather. A father and son repaired and cleaned their family barn to become the site of a wedding dance. The stories are many, always flavored with affection.
There is something about a barn, a real barn framed in timbers and sided with boards through which sunshine streams and moonbeams glisten, that stirs the spirit. When barn people come together to work or just to share stories, there is positive, healing energy.
The Michigan Barn Preservation Network marks its 15th year in 2010 with another of its popular two-day events.
March 12 features a day-long barn tour to six barns in the Grass Lake area. Tour goers will step inside barns in traditional
use but also a church barn and a farm museum/tennis court barn. Buses stop for lunch at the Tompkins Center Town Hall and
return to MSU’s Kellogg Center by 5 p.m. Friday evening’s dinner features the presentation of the Barns of the Year awards,
honoring the care and keeping of several Michigan barns.
March 13 events begin with reflections by Dr. William Anderson, retired president of West Shore Community College and
former director of Michigan’s History, Arts & Libraries, on the importance of agriculture and historic preservation. Conferees
will have a chance to be the top bidder during the lively auction of barn/farm memorabilia as well as at a silent auction.
Afternoon workshops cover barn rehabilitation, determining the age of a barn,
choosing a paint or exterior barn finish,
planning a barn tour, understanding the roles of preservation organizations, organizing a project to paint quilts on barns,
and moving and reconstructing a barn. All conference events will be held
at MSU’s Kellogg Center. The expansive exhibit room will be open both days.
Costs to attend the Michigan Barn Preservation Network’s barn tour and/or conference vary according to whether participation is for one day or both, meals, and MBPN membership. The barn tour and lunch alone is $35 for members and $60 for non-members. The full conference is $80 for members and $110 for non-members. Membership is $30. For details and to register, visit www.mibarn.net or contact Vera Wiltse, conference chairperson at 989-772-0911 ext. 302 (daytime).
“A barn shall harbor heaven…” wrote Richard Wilbur, in “A Christmas Hymn.” I couldn’t agree more.
Jan Corey Arnett©2010