Indiana’s Historic Barns Connect Agricultural Past and Present

If you want to learn more about Indiana’s rich agricultural history, all you have to do is look to the barns. Across the state, historic barns dot the landscape, holding stories of previous generations, innovation and technology, and evolving farming practices. Several organizations are working to preserve these structures to help keep the past alive.

“Historic barns reflect our culture and origins more so than any other type of building,” says Marsh Davis, president of Indiana Landmarks. “They tell the story of the people who settled the land and created our agricultural economy.”

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Indiana Landmarks, headquartered in Indianapolis, is a nonprofit helping preserve historic buildings. Davis says the organization started with more urban buildings but deliberately branched out into the rural landscape, recognizing much of the state’s rural heritage.

“We ended up forming a rural preservation committee, and part of its function was to learn about what’s important to the people who are stewards of these historic barns and buildings,” he says.

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Standing History

Depending on the type of barn or the function it served, Davis says you can understand its story and heritage. For example, areas where German-speaking people settled are characterized by barns that are usually extremely large, with room for everything from hay storage to animal quarters. On the other hand, English barns are smaller and rooted in the English tradition of grain processing and storage. These structures always have doors on the broadsides.

Round barns, which Indiana is well-known for, showed more of a shift in farming technology. These barns featured a circular silo in the center where animals could feed. The structures were cheaper to build, served multiple functions and had open interiors, making them more efficient in some ways.

A Second Chance

Oftentimes, historic buildings are in danger of being torn down because they’re functionally obsolete, but Davis says many of Indiana’s historic barns are getting new life.

“We’re working with historic barn owners and helping them understand that these old barns can work with modern farming,” he says.

Through a parallel program called Barn Again Indiana, the organization holds workshops with contractors and barn owners to teach and encourage them to repurpose the historic structures.

“Specifically, we’ll work with contractors and experts on how to replace posts or other original building materials that make the barns useful for much larger equipment than they were originally built for,” Davis says.

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Barns Through the Lens

Marsha Williamson Mohr helps preserve historic barns in a different way from Davis but equally as important – through her camera lens.

Mohr was active in 4-H growing up and gained her appreciation for agricultural history from her father, Mauri Williamson. She became interested in photography while in 4-H and continued with her passion, becoming a professional photographer in 1987.

“My father loved the history of how farms evolved,” Mohr says. “I guess that is how I was made to appreciate barns. They all have their own story.”

Mohr authored Indiana Barns in 2010, showcasing historic barns across the state through her photography. Additionally, Mohr and her father are both founding members of the Indiana Barn Foundation, a nonprofit organization with the mission of saving one barn at a time.

Historic Barns Across the State

Davis and Mohr both believe old barns still have lots of life in them. Some of this rich history can be illustrated through the following historic Indiana barns.

Wendel Barn, Franklin County: Built in 1820, this 34-foot-by-60-foot brick barn was owned by Christopher Whitehead, who came to the U.S. from England. It was presumed he housed cattle in the barn but also built it to serve as a distillery. This barn was included as one of the top 10 bicentennial barns to celebrate Indiana’s bicentennial in 2016.

Walnut Leaf Farm, Hancock County: Mike Maroska’s family has lived on land northeast of Greenfield for more than 185 years. Maroska and his wife, Kris, raise sheep and cattle on Walnut Leaf Farm, one of several historic landmarks built by his great-grandfather, Johnston Frank. The Maroskas were the 2015 winners of the John Arnold Award for Rural Preservation, recognizing those who preserve and continue using historic farming-related buildings.

Smith Family Farms, Madison County: Smith Family Farms has been in operation for more than 100 years, passed down through the family for seven generations. The historic barn is currently used in seasonal agritourism activities and events.

Smoker Barn, LaPorte County: Built in 1938, the Smoker Barn was another historic barn recognized as a top 10 Bicentennial Barn during Indiana’s 2016 bicentennial celebration. The barn is primarily used to raise cattle and is also the focal point of many family photos.

Learn more about Indiana’s historic barns and how to help preserve them at indianalandmarks.org.

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