By SARA DRYDEN
Indiana Correspondent

VEVAY, Ind. – The Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana will host Barn Again! on Nov. 1 at the Switzerland County Fairgrounds. Farmers, landowners, and historical architecture enthusiasts are welcomed to attend.

The daylong workshop includes presentations on barn preservation by experts with time for audience discussion, and a packet of publications on adapting and preserving agricultural buildings. “We’re very excited about this workshop coming to southeastern Indiana,” said Kent Abraham, director of Historic Landmarks Southeast Field Office. Barn Again! started in 1997 and has been strongly supported and attended. Abraham is planning for good attendance this year and has a full schedule of speakers and attractions.

Abraham said the workshop attendees will visit four area barns, including the historical haypress barn at Thiebaud Farmstead. Abraham is excited about the alternative energy presentation of the workshop. The speaker for this topic will discuss how barn owners can use such energy sources as solar and geothermal power for their buildings.

Definitions of an old barn can vary. Most historians consider a barn old if it is at least 40 or 50 years. However, the barns that this organization works with are usually built in the 19th century and have timber framing.

“Where would we be without these kinds of barns on the landscape?” said Abraham. “Sadly many of them are being taken down too fast. We will be missing a sort of poetry on the landscape that we will never get back.”

Abraham said that many barn owners want to preserve their old buildings because they are part of the family. Some owners are preserving them to serve as machinery and hay storage. He said a few people have converted their old barns into houses.

“Attending Barn Again! is a great place to start looking for solutions,” said Abraham. “Or, if you’re just interested in historical architecture, there will be plenty of it.”

The workshop will provide information about how to research about barn preservation. There will be contractors and construction experts on hand to discuss reconstruction issues. Nationally recognized barn expert Rudy Christian will present A New Life for Old Barns. Herschel Brichto of Erjo Construction will offer a local perspective on challenges and approaches.

“We want to give manageable approaches to people,” said Abraham. “These are big buildings and it can be a big and over-whelming project.”

The Nov. 1 workshop will be held at the Switzerland County Fairgrounds in Vevay, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Registration is $45 per person and includes lunch, an information packet, barn tours, and membership in Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana.

Registration for Historic Landmarks members is $30 per person. Registration is limited. To register, contact the Southern Regional Office of Historic Landmarks Foundation, 812-284-4534 by Oct. 24.