Historic restored barns throughout Iowa will be opened to the public during the Iowa Barn Foundation’s free, self-guided, all-state barn tour Saturday, Sept. 26 and Sunday, Sept. 27 from 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.
Most barns on tour have been restored with matching grants from the Iowa Barn Foundation. Other property owners received awards of distinction from the foundation for restorations they undertook themselves.
The Iowa Barn Foundation, an all-volunteer, non-profit organization founded in 1997 by a group of folks with Iowa roots, raises money from individuals, foundations and corporations to give matching grants to property owners to restore their barns. The barns must be restored as closely as possible to original. The property owner must sign a perpetual easement when receiving a grant.
This is the only group of its kind in the country.
The purpose of the tour is to encourage barn preservation in the state, to teach young people about Iowa’s rich agricultural heritage and to renew pride in this unique heritage. Owners will discuss the barns and their histories at many stops. Visitors are expected from around the country. The effort has encouraged barn preservation throughout Iowa and beyond.
The tour is free although donations to support the foundation's work are appreciated.
For information: www.iowabarnfoundation.org
South central Iowa barns
Beeler barn, 2569 140th Street, Van Meter (Madison County) - From DeSoto, go south on Highway 169. Turn east on 130th Street to stop sign. Then go south on Prairie View Avenue and finally east on 140th Street. Barn is in what was a strong German settlement.
Barn was built by the Burger brothers including one who became the first county agent in Iowa.
Blake Barn, 2155 Benson Street, Weldon (Madison County) -Take exit 29 off I-35. Go east to Highway 69. Turn south about four miles to Benson Avenue. Turn right. The barn is just above the freeway, but there is not and entrance there. Thousands of travelers going up I- 35 have probably noticed this highly visible barn but not the story. It is a wooden manufactured “kit” barn probably built in the early 1900s. The exceptionally tall (48 feet high) 32x38 feet barn sits on four footings keeping it off the ground. The barn was built with wood rafters so even the ends are identical to the middle. New red paint highlights the barn.
McBroom-Hargis barn, 1218 Highway 169, Winterset (Madison County) - Barn is five miles south of I-80 (Adel, De Soto, Winterset exit). Article in Madison County paper (1884) discussed this barn, “It would be the largest barn in this part of the county.” It has a wooden track, post and beam, pegs and was designed by I.F. Carter of De Soto.
Oswald barn, 1071 Harken Hills Drive, Osceola (Clarke County)-Take Highway 34 through Osceola; go another half mile to Harken Hills Drive on the south side of the road. Beef barn was designed in the 1930s and can be converted into a show pavilion to seat over 700. Pure-bred Angus were developed there by Dr. C.R. Harken, Osceola physician. Farm was operated with view of helping small producer market his animals. J.C. Penney often visited the farm.