Keith Anderson announces the 2019 Barn of the Year winners.
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 77 barns from across Michigan have been recognized for their unique qualities and/or preservation efforts.
2019 Winners
(Click on the barn name to read the story.)
Mt. Bruce Barn
Owner: Peter Uhlianuk
Location: Romeo (Macomb County) in Southeast Michigan
Category: Continuing Agriculture
Use: Livestock barn
Prairie Bells Barn
Owners: Jim and Julia DeYoung
Location: Belding (Ionia County) in West Michigan
Category: Adaptive – Privately Owned
Use: Wedding and special events venue
Samels Barn
Owner: Samels Family Historical Society
Location: Williamsburg (Grand Traverse County) in Northern Michigan
Category: Adaptive – Non-profit
Use: Living history farmstead
2019 Awards Presentation
The awards were presented on June 1, 2019 at Dawn Farm in Ypsilanti as part of the annual conference of the Michigan Barn Preservation Network.
Mt. Bruce Barn
Romeo, MI
Peter Uhlianuk (middle) receives the 2019 Barn of the Year Award for continuing agricultural use from Tom Irrer, MBPN president, (far left) and Keith Anderson, Awards chair, (far right).
Prairie Bells Barn
Belding, MI
Jim and Julia DeYoung receive the 2019 Barn of the Year award for restoration of Prairie Bells Barn. Pictured L to R: Tom Irrer, MBPN president; Julia DeYoung, owner; Jim DeYoung, owner; Chelsea Stitt, American Heritage Restoration; Keith Anderson, Awards chair; and Chad Stitt, American Heritage Restoration.
Samels Barn
Williamsburg, MI
On behalf of the Samels Family Heritage Society, Susan and Bob Hall (middle) accept the 2019 Barn of the Year Award for non-profit adaptive use from Tom Irrer, MBPN president, (far left) and Keith Anderson, Awards chair, (far right).
Nominations
Categories awarded 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.
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.
Eligibility:
To be eligible, the barn must have been built before 1957 and be in-use, either for continued agricultural use or adapted for other uses. Barns must retain their overall appearance-both interior and exterior barn characteristics.
Four items are required for the submission:
- A completed application form
- A written narrative
- Photographs
- A completed Michigan Barn & Farmstead Inventory
The nomination form will be available when the next submission period starts in early 2020. For further information, contact the awards program chairman, Keith Anderson. E-mail: klanderson42@gmail.com or Mobile: 616-540-6701.
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2018 Winners
Five Barns of the Year were recognized last year in three categories:
Continued Agricultural Use:
- Lundberg Barn—Dimondale, MI in Eaton County. Owners: Keith, Pat & Kay(Ardis) Lundberg
- Mayo Barn—Ortonville, MI in Oakland County. Owners: David & Kathleen Mayo
Private Adaptive Use:
- Moser/Craig Barn—New Sewickley, PA in Beaver County. Owners: Art & Liezel Moser Craig
- Bruins Barn—Allendale, MI in Ottawa County. Owner: Tom Bruins
Non-Profit Adaptive Use:
- White Dove Barn—Hillsdale, MI in Hillsdale County. Owned by White Dove Ministries
You can see 2018 photos and winning barn information here.