The Iowa Barn Foundation is hosting its 12th annual “All-State Barn tour” this weekend. Foundation spokesperson, Roxanne Mehlish of New Providence, says the tour includes 120 barns. Mehlish says the tour covers the entire state and includes most of the barns that have won grant money from the foundation, and many that have received an award of distinction from the I-B-F.
Mehlish says its a tour that gives a good glimpse of the structures that were once at the center of Iowa life. She says there is something for everyone in this tour as it showcases what is special about Iowa, from the big barns to the small barns. Mehlish has a favorite of her own.
Mehlish says she likes the Oakdale Farm barn owned by the Good family in Boone County. The barn is new on the tour and had Farceur a world-famous Belgian horse who was buried in the barn. Mehlish says the foundation is a volunteer organization.
Mehlish says the organization was formed to save barns and they give grant money to people who want to save barns. “Barns are part of our heritage and we thing they are something to be proud of, we want to showcase that special thing about Iowa,” Mehlish says.
The tour is self-guided and free. It runs today (Saturday) and tomorrow (Sunday) 9:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. both days.
Find out more at: www.iowabarnfoundation.org.