News

First Annual Barn Award Presented at Amherst Conference

AWARD WINNERS: (left to right) Ed Nizalowski, Newark Valley Historical Society; Timothy Fortune and Diana, Fortune Barn; Kimball Demartinis, Cummins Farm Barn; Ken Schrider, Healing Waters Farm Barn; and Ned Pratt, Dutch Barn Preservation Society

Outstanding barn projects were recognized on October 14, 2000 at the third annual conference on barn preservation, held at the Amherst Museum near Buffalo. The Barn Preservation Awards are the first made NY the New York State Barn Coalition, a collaborative, statewide program working to foster the appreciation and rehabilitation of older and historic barns. According to Tania Werbizky of the Preservation League of New York State, a Coalition member, "We were pleased to see the range of projects in our first year of making awards and proud to honor five exemplary barn projects."

Education / Awareness Award

Newark Valley Historical Society, Newark Valley, Tioga County

The Newark Valley Historical Society has a long history of documenting, interpreting, and education the public about the rural heritage of this Southern Tier community. In 1995, a special initiative began on behalf of area barns leading to the preservation of the Herrick Barn at the Society's Bement-Billings Farmstead and the creation of barn tours, a video, and a website. The tours led to the development of a self-guided tour booklet with drawings and a glossary. The Herrick Barn, and English threshing barn, was painstakingly disassembled in 1996 and re-erected in 1999. The entire process of a traditional barn raising was videotaped and copies made available for purchase. Finally, the Society's new website emphasizes barn preservation, with over 100 links to other barn sites. The educational work of the Newark Valley Historical Society provides an inspirational model for similar cultural institutions.

Organizational Excellence Award

Dutch Barn Preservation Society, Altamount, Albany County

Virtually every effort to preserve the New World Dutch Barn in the state has been ably assisted by the Dutch Barn Preservation Society. This all-volunteer group is New York's oldest not-for-profit organization dedicated to barn preservation. Its mission remains unchanged since 1986: to educate people about Dutch Barns, which were constructed primarily in the Hudson, Mohawk, and Schoharie valleys between 1630 and 1825. The Society fulfills its mission extraordinarily well through meetings, tour, a newsletter, and excellent documentation projects. In addition, the Society awards a $500 barn repair grant to encourage quality work. Whether erecting a barn at the historic Mabee Farm near Rotterdam, creating a website, or advising owners on restoration techniques, the Dutch Barn Preservation Society executes its work to the highest professional standards.

Stewardship / Maintenance Award

Fortune Barn, Bloomingdale, Essex County Owners: Diana and Timothy Fortune

In 1997, despite one contractor's advice to "tear it down and build a new structure," the Fortunes made the decision to retain the late 19th century barn on their 35-acre property north of Saranac Lake. Timothy and Diana Fortune took their role as stewards of the family farm seriously and contacted Woodford Brothers who advised them that the barn could be stabilized and put to a future use. The barn was jacked up and cabled, new posts were installed, rafters repaired, and other work completed to make the barn structurally sound. According to Diana Fortune, "saving the structure for its historical value and beauty were the motivating factors behind this renovation. One day we may be able to use it as a working artist's studio."

Rehabilitation Award

Cummins Farm Barn, Lima, Livingston County Owners: Kimball and Shirley DeMartinis

The DeMartinis are proud that their barn, located on the remaining 67 acres of the historic J.D. Cummins Farm, is one of the oldest structures in town and thus made the commitment to rehabilitate it. With the help of Woodford Brothers, the barn was shored up and straightened. Clapboard siding was replaced as necessary and a metal roof added over the combination metal and wood shingle roof. Kimball DeMartinis labored to make exact duplicated of damaged and missing windows, following original muntin profiles. The DeMartinis enjoy the positive contribution that their rehabilitated pioneer-era barn makes to the area and look forward to a careful restoration of a dairy barn on their property in the future.

Adaptive Use Award

Healing Waters Farm Barn, Walton, Delaware County Owner: Kenneth Schrider

Introducing a new use to a historic barn is a daunting challenge. One successful example is a former dairy barn purchased in 1998 by Ken Schrider, who then began a careful repair and reuse project that retained the barn's key features. Neglected since the 1960s, the barn was damaged through all three levels due to a hole in the roof. Working with friends and family, Schrider removed up to 18 inches of manure, repaired and repainted the building's publicly visible sides, and added supporting members to the lowest level. Schrider retained original door and window openings and interior stalls and ironwork. Although the north side of the building awaits repair, Schrider is open for business and boarding horses and operating a carriage display and three chops that celebrate the special qualities of rural Delaware County.

© 2008 New York State Barn Coalition