Starting Point: Imlay City Historical Museum at 77 N. Main Street, Imlay City, MI 48444
Date and Time: Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. Gathering at the museum begins at 8:30am. Bus will leave at 9:00am and return no later than 5:00pm.
Cost: $75, includes lunch. Register here.
Nominations for the 2027 Awards open Nov. 1, 2026
See 2026 Barn of the Year winner profiles and application instructions for 2027.
Click here for current Newsletter issue.
A Look at MBPN’s Past and Future
- Barn Tour Tradition – Annual event on Oct. 9 attracts barn owners and enthusiasts p. 1 and 3
- Enduring Mission of MBPN’s Technical Committee: Sharing knowledge and resources needed to save Michigan barns. p. 4-5
- A Little Help from Our Friends: Exploring a partnership between MBPN and Tillers International – p. 2, 6-7.
Become a MBPN member to receive the print edition of the newsletter in the mail several times a year.
Submit Photos for 2027 Barn Calendar
Theme: Quilt Barns
Each year, the MBPN produces a high-quality calendar that acts as an additional promotional and marketing piece for our organization. We couldn’t produce these calendars without the enthusiastic participation of barn owners, who provide high-resolution photographs and information about their remarkable barns.
The next calendar will focus on Quilt Barns. Across Michigan hand-painted wooden quilt blocks mounted on historic barns celebrate rural heritage. More than 20 counties have Quilt Barn Trails.
If you have a photo you think might be worth submitting to the Calendar Committee, please visit https:/mibarn.net/calendar for details and fill out a barn info/permission form.
The Calendar page on the website also includes photo submission guidelines for photographers. We strongly encourage interested parties to use this portal to finalize the process of having your picture (and barn) considered for next year’s calendar!
Questions? Please contact Kristine Ranger at kmranger11@gmail.com.
Thank you to our advertisers and event listing sponsors. See Directory of 2026 supporters.
MBPN Annual Conference
Held March 14, 2026
Conference Presentations
Round and Multi-Faceted Barns in the Midwest
Keynote by Rick Collins
Sometimes referred to as the scientific era, the booming agricultural expansion and experimentation in the mid-1800s through early 1900s brought about unprecedented large-scale construction that changed the landscape of America. Some of the most uniquely Midwest barns are round and multi-faceted. What do they look like today? How can we care for the relatively few remaining? Rick Collins, a master carpenter and timber framer, reviewed case studies of some of these impressive giants while highlighting a perspective that can be used to assess and steward any historic structure.
From Dairy Barn to Residence and Airbnb
Presentation by Bob Kovacevich
Bob and Kathy Kovacevich are the owners and operators of The Barn House in Plainwell, north of Kalamazoo. The barn originally was part of a dairy farm established in 1878, and it had multiple dairy farm owners prior to Kathy acquiring it in 1992. Through a labor of love and determination, the barn was transformed into a home over the next 30 years and subsequently evolved into the Airbnb that exists today. The funds raised through the Airbnb are used entirely for preserving the natural beauty of the barn.
Property Taxes and Credits for Restored Barns
Presentation by Gary Howell
Gary Howell draws upon his legal and legislative background to inform barn owners about the tax advantages and legal aspects of restoring older barn buildings. A farmer and lawyer, he has served as a tax assessor, municipal attorney and state legislator. Currently he is on the Lapeer County Board of Commissioners. He and his wife Cheryl live on a 400-acre farm near North Branch, where they raise hay, beef cattle and row crops. Their 1878 restored barn was featured on the 2025 MBPN Fall Barn Tour.
Michigan Flywheelers Museum
Presentation by Patrick Ingalls
Patrick Ingalls, president of the Michigan Flywheelers Museum near South Haven, spoke about the museum’s history and current projects. The 80-acre site is dedicated to the restoration and preservation of antique gas/steam engines and tractors and includes Olde Town, a 1920s era community where the restored Stephenson Barn is located. Named a “Great Michigan Barn” in 2024 by the Michigan Barn Preservation Network, it serves as the main building for exhibits, educational workshops, classes and programs as well as rental facility.
The Questions We’re Most Often Asked…
Q. Is there any funding for barn restoration?
The Michigan Barn Preservation Network keeps tabs on funding opportunities in the form of grants, tax credits and low-interest loans. Click here for the latest information about organizations and programs that provide some kind of assistance.
Currently there are no governmental grants in Michigan to help private owners of barns with restoration or repair of their personal property. Work on barns which are owned by municipalities, nonprofit organizations or other public entities may be eligible for consideration for grants and awards through governmental and foundation programs. Listing on the National or State Register of Historic Places is a requirement for most grants.
Q. How can I find someone to fix my barn?
There are people all across Michigan who do repair work on old barns. Some do historically accurate timber frame work. Some do structural reinforcement by using cables. Some specialize in installing steel roofing and siding. Many will repair anything from foundation to cupola.
Our website provides a Contractor’s List as a place for barn owners to start looking for help.
Also check out Tom Irrer’s article about finding and vetting contractors.
Q. Why are barns red?
MBPN Board Member Keith Anderson offers several practical and cost-effective reasons why red became the dominant color of early barns. See article.
Q. Have questions about rehabilitating or repairing your barn?
Check out the Frequently Asked Questions about barn repair here. MBPN has a committee of experts to answer your inquiries. Go to the contact page to send a query.
On the Road: Now appearing at the Octagon Barn Museum
Teamwork & Timbers
Teamwork & Timbers is a one-of-a-kind learning opportunity for youth to experience the barn-raising tradition that was common in Michigan’s rural communities during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
At the request of local organizations, our MBPN volunteers deliver the structural components to festival and school sites in Michigan and coordinate the assembly of a 1/4 size 19th-century timber frame model. While working on this life-size 3-D puzzle, students learn historic construction techniques and architectural terms. They also are challenged to use their math, science, and engineering skills.
This educational experience gives Michigan youth and adults a glimpse into our agricultural heritage, the pride of craftsmanship, and what can happen when people come together to accomplish something that they cannot do alone.
Contact MBPN to ask about scheduling T&T for your group.
MBPN’s Barn School
The Michigan Barn Preservation Network offers barn workshops and classes in both onsite and virtual formats. In the hands-on field program, participants spend a Saturday assessing the condition and stability of a barn and learn about barn architecture, construction, maintenance and repair approaches.
Hands-on Activities
Left: Barn School participants examine silo while conducting exterior assessment of BJ’s barn in North Branch. Right: Portable saw mill demonstration was part of the morning activities held nearby at MEJ’s Mystical Farm.
The most recent Barn School event was Oct. 11, 2025 in Lapeer County as part of the Fall Barn Tour weekend. The morning session included a portable saw mill demonstration and presentations on how to approach barn repairs:
- Patch or Replace? By Tom Nehil, structural engineer and stone masonry teacher
- What Has Caused the Need for Repairs? By Blair Bates, barn rehabilitation expert and master stone mason
The second half of the day was devoted to Steve Stier’s popular Barn School – a workshop at a nearby 1912-era barn. Led by architect Tammis Donaldson, participants learned how to assess a barn’s condition and prioritize repairs.
Learn more about the Barn School here.
Virtual Barn School 101
MBPN’s Virtual Barn School 101 is featured on the YouTube channel of the Michigan Historic Preservation Network. Steve Stier, Tammis Donaldson and Stephanie White present a brief history of barns in Michigan, barn terminology and parts, and free to low-cost fixes barn owners can do. This 2020 workshop is still available as a Webinar Replay.
Welcome to the Michigan Barn Preservation Network (MBPN), a volunteer-based, statewide nonprofit dedicated to promoting appreciation, preservation, and rehabilitation of Michigan barns, farmsteads, and rural communities.
We are committed to the rehabilitation of barns for agricultural, commercial, public, and residential uses. Adaptive re-use is a significant strategy for barn preservation – all structures need a reason for being.
MBPN fosters the sharing of barn experiences and resources with this website and through educational events, recognition programs, connections and collaboration.
Barns symbolize positive qualities of American character: strength, honesty, endurance, security and family stability. They remind us of our heritage and help tell the story of rural life. They serve as landmarks while fulfilling the purpose for which they were originally designed, housing agricultural products and animals. With maintenance and some adaptations, they can serve us well for many years to come.
Mission: Promoting Appreciation, Preservation and Rehabilitation of Michigan Barns, Farmsteads and Rural Communities since 1995.