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 Announced
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
Buck 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
Click here for database of Barn of the Year winners from 1997 to 2016. Also see showcase of winners from 2019 and 2018.
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:
- A completed application form
- A written narrative
- Photographs (24 maximum)
- A completed Michigan Barn & Farmstead Inventory
Nomination Form
The updated nomination form will be available a few months before the next submission deadline. To see a sample, you can review the most recent form by clicking here.
For questions, contact the program chairman, Keith Anderson. E-mail: klanderson42@gmail.com or Mobile: 616-540-6701.