March 28, 2024

Annual All-State Barn Tour planned Saturday, Sunday

Some 80 historic, restored barns throughout Iowa will be opened to the public during a free, two-day, self-guided, all-state barn tour from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Most of the barns 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, nonprofit organization, raises money from individuals, foundations, and corporations to give matching grants to property owners to restore their barns. The property owner must sign a perpetual easement when receiving a grant. The foundation sponsors a spring “area” tour and publishes a semi-annual magazine.

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 at many stops. Visitors are expected from all over the country. Iowa is the only state with a barn-saving program like this.

One Jasper County barn is included on this year's tour. The Hanson barn, 11590 N. 87th Ave. W. in Mingo. Most of this pegged barn was build in the 1880s but as the barn was restored and rebuilt over the years, the roof shape may have changed, an addition was built with lumber from an older structure and the interior has been altered. The farm has been recognized as a Heritage Farm being in the family since 1856.

Directions: At the intersection of US Highway 65, IA 330, and IA 117, continue onto F17 and turn right on W. 122nd St. N. Go 0.4 miles to 87th Ave. W and turn left. The barn is a little over 0.7 miles on the left side of the road.

For more information, contact Roxanne Mehlisch, 641-487 7690 or mehlisch@netins.net.

More details can be found at www.iowabarnfoundation.org