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Halie, sorry you never received a reply on this post. Your barn certainly appears to fall within the historic time frame, meaning it was built with wood timbers prior to the 1950s. The type is a Transverse frame with a gambrel roof. What additional information are you looking for?

Penelope, Obviously Paul is correct when it comes to grants. But there are other options I had hoped he might be able to discuss with you, something that seems best done in person in learning your situation and needs. For instance, if a property qualifies for the National Register, Indiana Landmarks does have a grant program to help assist in paying the cost of hiring someone to complete it. Being listed then opens the door for tax credits. I also know that unless a property owner happens to be an architect, contrcator or otherwise experienced in building restoration and repair, the trained eye of someone like Paul or Duncan Campbell, myself or various others can help a property owner gather a true assessment of what requires immediate attention or what might not, and most importantly from Duncan's perspective, how a property owner can very, very often handle repairs for much less. Duncan rehabilitated his own 1850s barn with the help of a local contractor. perhaps he and Tim can connect after Tim's visit.

Yes, Kyle, thank you for the photos. Despite issues with sheathing, it looks like its standing fairly true. But you would know better having been there. Obviously the one end is very exposed to the elements but what about the roof? Our grant committee discussed the hope that the grant funds might at least be able to help folks secure a barn from the weather, which as you know will buy any building allot more time. Penelope, I would recommend as a first step toward exploring and discussing additional options that you contact Paul Hayden, the director of the Indiana Landmarks Northwest Field office, phayden@indianalandmarks.org. He is based in Wabash and the office covers several counties including Miami County. Paul would be a good resource to discuss the history of the overall property, help you assess building conditions and needs, and can discuss with you additional options to consider based on the needs of the property and your family's needs. Indiana Landmarks likes to be aware of threats to historic properties and to do what they can to assist. That said, please keep in mind that Paul won't be able to ride in and solve all the problems. But he can at least be a nearby resource possibly with ideas and avenues you aren't aware of or haven't thought about. One idea that again came up during the IBF Grant Committee discussions was that barn owners could also consider crowd funding as a means of helping restore a barn. A compelling story, important local or statewide history, or any number of factors could make for a successful campaign.

Tim, I'm glad you've reached out to Penelope. Thank you. And I'm glad to know Kyle made a visit. Between Tim and Kyle visiting we can collectively get a better sense of the situation that can be shared with others. Penelope, the IBF grant is intended to help with emergency repairs that may help stave off further decay until additional possibilities can be discussed, such as repairing a roof to prevent further water infiltration, which is the worst issue a barn can have. If the farm is as historic as you say, then there may be other avenues for assistance, such as a National Register of Historic Places nomination for the property that could open up tax credit possibilities that can aid rehabilitation of all the buildings. I look forward to more information from both Tim and Kyle.

I will connect with other IBF members to see who can meet with you. IBF is an all-volunteer organization with various folks in leadership roles throughout the state. And there are others who are closer to Peru than I am at 2 1/2 hours away.

Linda, have you checked into the new grant program IBF has launched? We also have IBF volunteers willing to make on-site visits to assist with maitenance and rehabilitation tips. And BTW, even though the original house burned, if the current house was built by your great grandfather it is also a historic part of the farm. In pure historic preservation language any building or structure 50 years old or older can be considered historic. But most importantly, your family is layering its history onto the same farm, something that should be seen as important as the generations progress.

Penelope, IBF's primary goal is to save historic barns in place. While we also value houses and other historic buildings on a property, sacrificing a barn to pay for repairs to another building is counter to IBF's mission. An 1851 barn is a very rare, important agricuktural resource for Indiana and we'd like to be able to discuss all options with you. The next best option to rehabilitation in place is to connect barn owners who want to remove a barn with someone who wishes to relocate a historic barn to their property. That way the architecture and essential history of the barn can be preserved, as once a barn is dis-assembled and the parts and pieces sold off its history, story and architectural legacy is gone forever. Would you and other family members be open to an on-site, in person visit from an IBF member or two to discuss your needs and the barn's needs and options?

Not only is the map fantastic but the whole website is great! Once we get into the surveying, the next county project you'll have to give demos on will be creating a website for one's own county.