We are a non-profit dedicated to celebrating
and preserving Minnesota's rural heritage.
Barns Then
Barns connected our ancestors to the land and to each other. They helped pioneers survive, emigrants prosper and ultimately enabled the Golden Age of Minnesota farming. As reminders of these past lifeways, they embody the values of our forebears.
Barns Now
Barns remain an iconic part of the Minnesota landscape. Like rural heritage in many parts of the world, however, Minnesota barns are in gradual decline. Having outlived their original purpose, due to mechanization and changing market forces, old barns are often neglected by owners who can't justify the cost of repairs.
Our Organization
Friends of Minnesota Barns seeks to raise public awareness of the value and vulnerability of these humble yet beautiful structures.
October 2013 - FOMB works to stabilize historic MacDougall Barn
Thanks to the leadership and expertise of Jay Schmidt (FOMB board member and Barn restoration specialist) and a team of volunteers, we were able to close the openings on the MacDougall barn. It was a lot of work and we put in a full day from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and if it were not for Jay and his chain hoist, we would not have been able to left the doors up as they were laying on the ground and water logged. It was all two people could do to lift one side of the door. Thanks to Jay as well for donating the framing materials, metal to cover one large door opening where the door was busted up, and screws, nails, and tools to complete the job.
Thanks to all who gave up a beautiful fall Saturday to help close up this 1874 barn in hopes that someone or some group will adapt it as a project and preserve it as it is a great old hand hued timber framed barn with rich history.
