Barns conjure up strong images for people - hard work, pride, a sense of home. But, the big red barns that identify small farms in the United States are quickly diminishing.

Itís estimated that Minnesota loses 1,000 barns each year, according to a study by the Minnesota Historical Society.

What can be done to preserve these majestic landmarks?

In this, the first of a three-part series, weíll take a look at what can be done to preserve them and what some folks in the area have done with the barns on their property.

Barns are lost to poor maintenance, urban growth, roadway expansion, relentless Minnesota weather and the demise of the small farm.

Yet some people have realized the nostalgic and historical significance of barns and have decided to preserve them.

And now, a grass-roots organization is helping people do just that.

"Friends of Minnesota Barns" is a fairly new, non-profit organization that provides "how-to" workshops for people looking to refurbish or preserve an old barn.

For more information, contact Mike Lamb at 763-422-0015 or email friendsofminnesotabarns@yahoo.com

Though most barns are considered historic (at least 50 years old), unless they are of a unique architectural style, most are not eligible for any type of preservation grant money.

So people looking to fix up a falling barn have taken up the often daunting task on their own.

Local preservation

Several area residents have taken the time (and money) to refurbish, preserve or alter a barn for different uses.

Noel and Remy Jenney own the little red barn that sits so proudly just north of Milaca on Highway 169.

The Jenneys purchased the farm, and the nearly 100 year old barn, from Bill Siemers about four years ago.

Remy remembers driving by the barn with her parents when she was a little girl - dreaming of one day owning it.

Throughout the year the little red barn attracts attention and causes people to stop and take photographs.

"People are fascinated by that barn," Noel said of their pride and joy. "For how old it is, itís in very good condition."

Back in the late 1970s, Eric and Shelley Larsen moved a barn from their home in Princeton (when Highway 95 was rerouted) to its current location north of Bock. They renovated the barn and have lived in it ever since!

Dean and Arlou Peterson have a traditional, large red barn that they maintain, but they also rebuilt a smaller barn on the property.

Originally built in the teens as a chicken barn and for oat storage, Dean now uses it for storing recreational vehicles and even incorporated a library in the upper level. The coupleís dalmatian, Sylvia, also resides in the little red barn.

Milaca even boasts a barn that was once a hotel. Josh Baas, of Milaca, is the proud new owner of Hank Moorlagís farm. Apparently the barn had a bar in the lower level and a hotel in the upper level.

Another couple, Art and Gloria Schoenig, often host barn dances in their barn. And each year they host a fiddle contest.

George and Joyce Boettcher own a stately 34 x 62 x 33 white barn northeast of Princeton. The barn was built around the early í30s by Alfred Kuether at a cost of $1,200.

The Boettchers, along with Dr. F.D. Knippling, bought the property in 1970 for a cattle operation. The Boettchers have lived on the farm since 1977 and George says theyíve been refurbishing it ever since.

Over the years, the giant barn began to lean - as so many do. So, the Boettchers had it straightened, which was no small feat. The barn was literally raised in order to straighten it. The project took about one week using poles, jacks and cross braces.

Reflecting on the task of refurbishing his barn, George said, "It must have been quite an undertaking to build these buildings during the Depression years."

Barn Again!

Governor Tim Pawlenty has declared this "The Year of the Barn" in honor of "Barn Again!"

"Barn Again! Celebrating an American Icon," is a traveling exhibit sponsored by the Minnesota Humanities Association, in conjunction with the Smithsonian Institute.

Five historical societies are participating in the traveling exhibit, including the Stevens County Historical Society in Morris (May 1 - June 27), the Wright County Historical Society in Buffalo (July 3 - Aug. 15) and the Goodhue County Historical Society in Red Wing (Sept. 18-Oct. 31).

Barn Again! will also be at the Minnesota State Fair Aug. 23 - Sept. 6.

In the Governorís proclamation it states, "The barns of Minnesota provide opportunities for learning about the stories, crafts and technologies of farming communities. The preservation of historic barns perpetuates Minnesotaís unique sense of place, reflecting the hopes of farmers in the past and present."

And itís with hope that many people work so hard to maintain and preserve the stately barn.

George Boettcher summed it up best saying, "When a person thinks back to the people who built them, not only barns, but the log houses, hen houses, corn cribs and silos, these are history. They are monuments to a time gone by."