Barn Guestbook Archive: October - December 1999

Stephanie M. email me! - Sunday, October 03, 1999 10:39:38 AM
Thank you for all the information I collected from your site and other links. We just purchased an old 1860's farm house which included on the property a barn we would like to restore. Any additional information or guidance will greatly be appriciated. Saline, MI

Doug email me! - Thursday, October 07, 1999 10:18:39 PM
I'm hopeful with this site. We have acquired a 100+ year old farm house and barn now situated in the middle of the ever expanding suburbs. Both have been kept up nicely and we believe it is our duty to carry on the tradition. We love the barn and were able to get it in good enough shape to host the freshman homecomming float building within 10 days of taking ownership! There are so many more plans and hopes...BUT...first I need to get to know the old gal a bit better. The construction is post and beam but I've never seen the match of it. Are there any references to "traditional building techniques" or barn construction styles/history. We live in S.E. Wisconsin and the turn of the (last) century farmer types were German, Dutch, Polish and Scandinavian. We're surrounded by barns of every type...with a number of octagon barns just North of here. Help! At present, I just want to know what I need to know to take responsible care of this structure. Of immediate concern are appropriate window replacements. Thanks.

Paula email me! - Sunday, October 10, 1999 03:31:32 PM
Hello fellow Mail Pouch Barn fans! I too am interested in any inforamation that will lead me to as many Mail Pouch Barns as I can find. I photograph them for fun as well as any "different" or "unusual" barns. If anyone has any tips on where to find them, please let me know!

Lisa email me! - Tuesday, October 12, 1999 07:06:56 PM
Tearing down an old barn? I'm an artist interested in most anything that you may be trashing from old barns: ie pulleys, hay hooks, etc. If you're in Minnesota or Wisconsin I could even haul it away. Thanks!

Terri email me! - Wednesday, October 13, 1999 12:42:09 AM
I am interested in knowning why barns are painted red. The history behind it. In addition, we just purchased a farm in Minnesota and would like to know how to get information about possible funding for barn preservation.

Friends of the Thumb Octagon Barn email me! - Friday, October 15, 1999 01:18:29 PM
Just Saying Hi from the Friends of the Thumb Octagon Barn, a non-profit group formed in 1993, are volunteers committed to the restoration and preservation of the barn originally built in 1924. Located one mile east of Gagetown and one mile north on Richie Road in Tuscola County, just south of the Huron County border.

Heather email me! - Saturday, October 16, 1999 10:40:30 PM
Eddie Roberts - really enjoyed your article! I am putting together an antique photo album with actual Mail Pouch Barn photos that I am in the process of taking, as a gift for my mom. I intend to write historical information, facts, locations, etc. within this album. Any information you have would be greatly appreciated if you wish to share. Thanks!

Tracy email me! - Thursday, October 21, 1999 08:55:18 PM
I am about to renovate an old un-winterized farmhouse into a year-round residence. Here's the glitch-- I want to make the conversion look like the house was once a barn (it looks very barn-y...). I am looking for a source for heavy, simple, wrought iron hardware like that used on old barns. Specifically, hinges, lock sets, window latches, gate hardware, etc. Does anyone out there have any sources for antique barn hardware? Also does anyone know of any books about barn conversions (barn-to-house) with lots of photos?? Many thanks, Tracy

Lydia email me! - Friday, October 22, 1999 01:52:12 AM
I have been trying to find out the answer to why barns are red for over a year now. I had some aupairs visiting us in Wisconsin and they all asked why barns are painted red. 2 of the girls were from Germany and 1 from Sweden. They said it was not common in their countries to see red barns. I was so excited to find your website.

Eddie Vatcher email me! - Friday, October 22, 1999 10:13:56 PM
I guess that story about blowing the boards off of that barn could be true if the barn was a timberframe structure.Of course the critical thing is knowing just how much dynamite to use. To much and you could end up with a big heap of toothpicks.

NANCY email me! - Sunday, October 24, 1999 03:29:27 PM
i am looking for information on restoring a barn into a home. anyone with any info at all please contact me. thanks

Alison email me! - Monday, October 25, 1999 12:38:08 PM
I was thrilled to discover this site. I collect pictures of barns from all over, and make "portraits" of barns in stoneware (clay)--all handbuilt (no molds). Great to see so many others loving barns, too!

Katie crucil email me! - Monday, October 25, 1999 07:19:56 PM
this is so cool You see I just got a pony and trying to scrap up every bit of ifo!

d'Ann email me! - Monday, October 25, 1999 09:35:28 PM
Neat site! I'd appreciate any ideas or plans on live-in horse barns. Either w/ living quarters above or to the side.

R. K. Taylor email me! - Tuesday, October 26, 1999 09:47:12 PM
Very interesting. I have an antique barn my great grandfather built and I am just completing a new larger structure to replace the aging one

 

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