Barn of the Year

The barn you saved can be an inspiration for others throughout the state to also become barn stewards. Awards winners for 2021 will be announced soon.

The Barn of the Year program honors existing Michigan barns that exemplify outstanding character in our state. Over the past two decades, a total of 90 barns from across Michigan have been recognized for their unique qualities and/or preservation efforts.

2020 Awardees 

MBPN recognized six barns and honored their owners at the  Annual Conference held Feb. 29, 2020 at Kellogg Center in East Lansing. This year’s entries revealed fascinating stories of tradition, family, determination, rugged work ethic, diversity and love.

Click on the barn name to read the story.

MacKenzie Farm Barn

Location: Adrian (Lenawee County) in southeastern Michigan

Built: Early 1900s

Owner: Allan & Virginia Langenderfer

Category: Continuing Agriculture

Use: Farm tractor, machinery storage, tool room, family event space

Brandt Barn

Location: Bay City (Bay County) in Michigan’s Thumb area

Owner: Jennifer & Rebecca Brandt

Built: 1929

Category: Continuing Agriculture

Use: Equipment storage for cash crop operation, granary, tool room

BoY - Buck Barn Sept 2020Buck Barn

Location: Ludington (Mason County) in West Michigan

Owner: Donald Buck

Built: 1898-1908

Contractor: American Heritage Barn Preservation

Category: Adaptive – Family-owned

Use: Family celebrations and recreation; storage

Gierok Barn

Location: Rochester Hills (Oakland County) in southeastern Michigan

Owner: Rochester University

Built: Early 1900s

Contractor: JDS Historical (Dean Sutton)

Category: Adaptive – Nonprofit

Use: Historic farmstead on campus; storage & maintenance facility

Brunson Barn

Location: Glen Arbor (Leelanau County) in northern Michigan

Owner: National Park Service, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Built: c. 1900

Category: Adaptive – Nonprofit

Use: Tourism – Port Oneida Rural Historic Park; storage

Heritage Wedding Barns

Location: Shelby (Oceana County) near Silver Lake Sand Dunes in West Michigan

Owner: Samuel IV & Jennifer Stitt

Built: 1892

Contractor: Great Lakes Barn Preservation

Category: Adaptive – Commercial

Use: Wedding and event venue

Past Winners

Click here for database of Barn of the Year winners from 1997 to 2016. Also see showcase of winners from 2017, 2018 and 2019.

Nominations are open to the public…

Here’s How to Enter Your Barn

To be eligible, the barn must be in-use, either for continued agricultural use or adapted for other uses. Barns must retain their overall appearance — both in their interior and exterior barn characteristics.

Categories:

Award categories cover barns that continue to be used for agriculture and those that are adapted for other uses and whether the barn is family-owned or the project of a non-profit or commercial entity.

  • Continuing Agricultural Use – Family (Private), Non-Profit or Commercial
  • Adapted to Other Uses – Family (Private), Non-Profit or Commercial

Evaluation

Nominated barns are judged on (1) completeness of information presented in the application, (2) sensitivity and integrity of repairs or modifications, (3) visual appeal, (4) creativity, (5) thoroughness of work and (6) effort expended to repair and maintain.

Application Componets:

Four items are required for the submission:

For questions, contact the program chairman, Keith Anderson.  E-mail: klanderson42@gmail.com or Mobile: 616-540-6701.  See sample nomination form here.