Michigan State University Extension
Tourism Educational Materials - 33850115
06/06/02

Historic Farmsteads


Source: Northcentral Regional Center for Rural
Development
Authors: Parrott, Kathleen; Schulte, Dennis; Dellenbarger,
Ann
ID: NCR371
Year: 1987


North Central Regional Extension Publications are subject
to peer review and prepared as a part of the Cooperative
Extension activities of the thirteen land-grant
universities of the 12 North Central States, in cooperation
with the Extension Service - U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Washington, D.C. The following states
cooperated in making this publication available.

Purdue University
301 S. Second St.
Lafayette, IN 47905-1092
317-494-6795

Iowa State University
112 Printing & Publ. Bldg.
Ames, IA 50011-1050
515-294-5247

Ohio State University
2021 Coffey Rd.
258 Kottman Hall
Columbus, OH 43210
614-292-1607

Kansas State University
Umberger Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506
913-532-5830

University of Wisconsin
Ag. Bulletin, Rm. 245
30 N. Murray St.
Madison, WI 53715 608-262-3346

*University of Nebraska
Dept. of Ag.
Communications
Lincoln, NE 68583-0918
402-472-3023

*Publishing state

For copies of this and other North Central Regional
Publications write to: Publications Office, Cooperative
Extension Service, in care of the University listed above
for your state. If they do not have copies or your state is
not listed above, contact the publishing state as marked
with an asterisk.

Programs and activities of the Cooperative Extension
Service are available to all potential clientele without
regard to race, color, sex, national, origin or handicap.

Project

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts
of Congress of May 8 and June 30,1914, in cooperation with
the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Cooperative
Extension Services of Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan,
Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South
Dakota and Wisconsin. Leo E. Lucas, Director, Cooperative
Extension, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583.

This publication discusses what makes a farmstead historic
and why historic farmsteads merit protection. Suggestions
for preserving historic farmsteads are considered in the
context of principles of farmstead planning.

The old building on your farmstead ... the one your
grandparents used. Is it outdated, too expensive to
remodel, and best taken apart for scrap? Or is it a
historic resource that merits attention? Can it be
rehabilitated into a use that benefits the farm operation,
yet, protects its historic value?

These are difficult questions to answer. As technology
advances and society changes, the needs and requirements
for farmstead structures, whether it is the barn or the
house, change. New materials, new techniques, new equipment
are introduced and they are not always compatible with old
structures.

Our farmstead structures are a tangible link with the past.
These structures are the physical materials that represent
the ideas, skills and knowledge inherited from our
ancestors. We cannot afford to waste these resources. We
also have an obligation to preserve the past for the
future, so that we, as a society, can learn and continue to
develop.

Farms and ranches in the north central United States are
rich in historic structures. Experts in historic
preservation estimate the majority of the farms and ranches
have at least one historic structure, and many of these
have predominately historic structures.

Threats to Historic Farmsteads

Historic farm and ranch structures are threatened for a
variety of reasons. Methods of I farming and ranching
change over time. Old structures may not be suitable for
modern agricultural practices or the lifestyles of rural
households. For example, doors may be too small for current
equipment. Utility services, such as electric wiring,
plumbing and sewage lines, may be inadequate for today's
needs both in the barn and in the house. Or the structure,
such as a horse barn, may have been designed for a purpose
that is not needed today.

New structures have long been considered status symbols and
are valued for convenience of use and maintenance. Tax laws
and lender policies sometimes seem to favor new
construction over renovation of existing structures to meet
the needs of the farm or ranch operation. There is a
perception that rehabilitation or renovation of older
structures is more complicated and labor intensive, and
will result in structures more costly to maintain.

Contemporary trends can also threaten historic rural
buildings. Weathered barn siding, slate roofing and old
beams are in high demand for new construction today. This
can make it tempting to tear down an old building, rather
than restore it. The demand for old and historic homes
frequently puts the emphasis on the residence only.
Farmsteads near urban areas may be bought for the value of
their houses, and the agricultural outbuildings torn down.

Farm and ranch operators may not be aware of the historic
significance of their structures. There is a tendency to
believe "historic" is associated with major events or
distinctive architecture. As a result, the historic
significance of common structures is sometimes overlooked
by property owners.

Finally, changes in the farm economy and the demographics
of rural populations offer challenges to the protection of
historic farm and ranch buildings. Deferred maintenance,
farm consolidations, foreclosures, increased mechanization
in farming and declining rural populations work against the
preservation of existing historic structures.

Identifying Historic Farm Resources

Everything that is old is not historically significant.
Typically, one of several criteria are used to identify
significance in farm and ranch buildings:

- very old in comparison to other structures.
- one of a limited number of remaining examples.
- unique or unusual example.
- outstanding or high quality example.
- connected to a well-known person in history.
- associated with a historic event.
- typical of a particular region, ethnic community or type
of agricultural operation.

Determining historic significance may not be an objective
process. The building must be considered in its physical,
social and cultural context.

In addition to identifying the historic significance of a
farm or ranch structure, its merit for preservation must
also be evaluated. The building needs to be considered in
terms of its relationship to the rest of the farm and
surrounding rural area. Has the structure been moved or
altered? How does it fit into the history of the farm or
ranch, the community or the state? Is the structure
integrated into farmstead activities? What is the physical
condition of the building?

As you consider older structures on a farm or ranch, and
their possible historic significance and merit for
preservation, it is helpful to investigate and evaluate
specific features and elements of the building. Taking a
closer look at the total structure can help you develop new
respect for what might otherwise seem "just an old
building."

Look at:

- setting of the building, including the site plan,
orientation and relationship to land features and other
structures.

- general design, including floor plan, structural
elements, materials and identifiable architectural style.

- mass and scale of the structure and any attached
additions.

- design details, such as trim, ornaments and colors.

- function of the structure, such as grain storage or
farrowing.

This evaluation can also help in determining how to best
protect the structure by identifying what needs to be
preserved or restored, or what can be modified without
adversely affecting the historic value.

Why Protect Historic Farm Resources?

There are a variety of philosophical and practical reasons
for protecting and preserving historic farm and ranch
buildings. As discussed, historic structures are a link
with the past. They provide information about the culture
and technology of the past, which can help us learn for the
future. In addition, they are resources with potential for
increased value in the future.

Historic farmsteads are symbols of an agricultural heritage
and can help show the value of that heritage. Historic
rural buildings are important sources of information about
how the community functioned and the society developed. The
construction of a farm or ranch building is a reflection of
the technology of its time, both in how it was built and
the agricultural practices it was designed to accommodate.
Styles of farm buildings, particularly barns, often show an
ethnic heritage that has been adapted to the local
environment and available materials.

Historic structures provide a sense of continuity for local
residents and add aesthetic quality to the rural landscape.
Farmers and ranchers who have preserved or restored older
structures frequently comment on the symbolism of the
building in the appearance of their farm or ranch. An
older, traditional building seems to fit the image of farm
or ranch, and makes it seem right.

Historic farmsteads may also have personal value, which
represents family history. Farms or ranches that have been
in the same family for generations may have older buildings
that are direct, tangible links to past relatives. The
buildings may have been constructed by family members or
may be the site of cherished memories or special family
events.

Philosophical reasons often are not sufficient to justify
preservation of historic farm and ranch buildings,
especially when economic pressures are taken into account.
Preservation of historic farmstead structures must also be
economically feasible.

Rehabilitation of historic buildings, particularly if the
structure is basically sound, can be less expensive and
require less capital outlay than new construction to meet
the same need. One of the reasons many farmers and ranchers
cite for preserving historic structures is that they are
well-built, of sturdy construction, and too good to tear
down. Starting with this type of structure, the project can
be done in stages, as time and money allow. Often the owner
is able to do much of the work personally. This can offer
financial flexibility. In addition, tax incentives for
rehabilitation of historic structures are available that
can make a project more cost-effective.

It is important to consider rehabilitation of historic farm
structures as an alternative to new construction. New
options for the use of old structures needs to be explored.
Older barns, for example, offer large spaces that can be
adapted for any number of uses, from livestock to repair
shops to living space for the family.

Frequently, historic structures can be renovated internally
to meet a farm or ranch operation need, with little
exterior change or loss of features which contribute to
historic significance. This allows preservation of much of
the historic value while meeting a functional need.
Renovation of an older building can also be combined with
new construction to meet needs of the operation.

FARMSTEAD PLANNING

Farm buildings, today, generally must handle larger
machinery, higher volumes of grain and more specialized,
intensive livestock enterprises than those of earlier eras.
Resultant electric power and water requirements, traffic
flow patterns, and concern about noise and odors have
changed so much that a farm structure with historic
significance may seem "in the way". However, if basic
principles of farmstead planning and structural engineering
are followed, historic farm structures can often become a
functional, cost effective part of today's agricultural
operations. The following paragraphs outline farmstead
planning considerations important in successful historic
preservation on contemporary farmsteads.

Farmstead Considerations.

Long-term labor efficiency on a farmstead is dictated by
many factors. Questions to be addressed include:

- Will large field equipment and large trucks have adequate
room to maneuver? Will they be able to do so in rainy
weather or after a snowstorm? Is space available for snow
removal from driveways?

- Can livestock be handled safely, efficiently and without
undue stress in moving, sorting and loading?

- Is there adequate drainage and control of run-off?

- Are structures oriented to allow efficient traffic flow
patterns and to maximize environmental considerations?
Examples include use of prevailing winds for natural
ventilation, cooling and odor control, and solar gain for
energy efficiency. Is there room for future expansion of
farmstead structures or the addition of other buildings?

Thus, the farm structure being preserved should be included
in a forward looking overall farmstead plan. Efficiency of
the agricultural operation, quality of life for the
farmstead residents, and the need for future expansion and
improvements should all be considered in the development of
a farmstead plan that includes preservation of a historic
structure.

Structural and Environmental Considerations

Historic structures often were built when requirements such
as snow and wind loads for insurability, environmental
control of moisture and temperature and sanitation, were
less well defined and less stringent than today.
Preservation and utilization of such structures need to
take today's requirements into account, especially when the
structure will house high-cost machinery, livestock or
other valuable commodities, or will be used as a residence.

Structural and environmental considerations that need to be
addressed in the rehabilitation of historic buildings
include:

- stabilizing the structure through the addition of new
trusses, beams, joists or other structural supports.

- replacing rotting or damaged structural elements, such as
posts, beams, studs or rafters.

- repairing, straightening, or in some cases, replacing
damaged or crumbling foundations.

- adding insulation. and vapor barriers.

- upgrading or replacing electric wiring to meet the Farm
Section of the National Electric Code for insurability and
safety.

- increasing ventilation, including the addition of
mechanical ventilation.

- adding plumbing, including water, pressurized water and
waste handling systems.

- repairing exterior elements to protect the structure,
including the roof, siding, windows and doors.

- planning needed changes in the building, such as
increasing the size of doors, raising floors or hay mows,
or removing interior partitions, to be structurally sound
and compatible with historic features.

- evaluating the setting and landscape surrounding the
historic structure to consider what features, such as
windbreaks, plantings, natural terrain, fences, windmills
or other structures, are important to its context and
historic significance.

Protecting Historic Farmsteads

There are a variety of techniques for protecting historic
structures on farmsteads. The first is to assure that the
structure has a use that meets a functional need of today's
farm and ranch operation. This includes keeping the
building in good repair through a planned maintenance
program. This can help make the use of an older building
more economical, in the long run, than constructing new
facilities. When the original use of the structure is no
longer appropriate for the farming or ranching operation,
creative thinking can often lead to rehabilitation,
adapting historic farmstead structures to new uses. There
are many examples found throughout the north central region
of the United States, such as:

- horse barns converted to a grain storage facility, a
storage shed for a combine and other farm equipment, a
grade-A stanchion dairy, a calving barn, a ewe lambing
nursery, a swine finishing facility, a community
recreation center, a farm office, and a guest house.

- cattle-feeding barns adapted to a soybean seed cleaning
and storage facility.

- a storage shed and a horse and dairy barn, both remodeled
into machine repair shops.

- a coal storage building adapted to use in a poultry
egglaying operation.

- a general purpose hog barn and another horse and dairy
barn both became farrowing and nursery facilities.

- a livestock and hay barn is now a county museum and
community center.

- a dairy barn became a gift shop for country crafts.

- an abandoned dairy farm became an equestrian center.

- a dairy barn was remodeled as a handball court.

These examples all indicate adaptations resulting in
current functional uses for historic structures. In some
cases, the uses are no longer agricultural or related to
the farm or ranch operation. However, in all cases, the
owner was able to preserve the structure and protect much
of the historic appearance and value. In most cases, the
adaptation of the old structures was more cost effective
than new construction.

Another important technique for protection of historic
farmstead resources are the social or legal tools.
Examples include:

- zoning regulations that limit development or non-
agricultural uses of the land that are incompatible with
the historic structures.

- local historic preservation ordinances that protect
specific structures from unacceptable modification or
incompatible uses.

- certification programs that designate structures as
historic, entitling them to certain protections and
financial incentives, such as provided by the National
Register of Historic Places.

- easements or restrictive covenants written into the
property deed to protect the historic resource from
unacceptable use or modification in the future, regardless
of ownership.

- tax credits for rehabilitation of old or historic
structures to help make the projects economically feasible.

The north central United States has, today, many historic
farm and ranch resources. Will we still have these
buildings in the future? We must undertake the
responsibility to identify and protect these resources,
so that in preserving the past, we can grow in the future.

Considerations for Integrating Historic Structures Into A
Farmstead

Structure qualifies for historic preservation recognition,
such as listing on the National Register of Historic
Places.

Personal existing financial resources are available to
preserve the structure have been considered in the process.

All structural and environmental modifications, needed
to make the building functional, have been considered.

The structure is, or can be modified to be insurable.

A farmstead plan for the next 5 to 10 years has been
developed.

The historic structure fits traffic flow, snow control,
livestock handling, drainage and other environmental needs
of the existing and future farmstead.

The structure is, or can be modified to be of sound
construction and in good repair.

Structural modifications, utility service upgrades, and
other needed changes to make the structure functional for a
current farmstead need, can be made without loss of
historic value.

The intended use of the structure needs to generate
adequate cash flow to pay for modifications.

A financial analysis shows the structural modifications are
economically feasible and cost-effective, especially as
compared to new construction.

Several alternative uses of the structure have been
considered in the process of developing current use plans.

For more information and for technical assistance in the
documentation and preservation of historic structures,
contact your State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO).
The following publications can also be of assistance:

Historic Buildings: Issues in Preservation and Protection
(a North Central Regional publication which contains a list
of regional SHPO addresses and other sources of
assistance).

Existing Buildings Remodel or Abandon (G86-825, Nebraska
Cooperative Extension) - 25 cents. University of Nebraska,
105 Ag Building, Bulletin Distribution, Lincoln, NB 68583-
0918.

Using Old Farm Buildings (AERR 88-1, North Dakota State
University Agricultural Engineering Research Report).

Farmstead Planning Handbook and Structures and Environment
Handbook (MWPS-1 and MWPS-2, Midwest Plan Service).

Historic Rural Buildings - A Program Guide (a North Central
regional publication containing a guide for a club or
organization program of one-half to one hour in length)

Barn Again! A Guide to Rehabilitation of Older Farm
Buildings (a publication of the National Trust for Historic
preservation and Successful Farming magazine; available for
$2.00 from National Trust for Historic Preservation,
Mountain/ Plains Regional office, 511 16th Street, Suite
700, Denver, CO 80202).

Contact the Cooperative Extension Service office serving
your community for assistance in obtaining copies of the
above publications.

This project has been supported in part by a grant from
the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Acknowledgment is given to Mary Humstone and Michael
Matts of the National Trust for Historic Preservation,
Robert Puschendorf of the Nebraska State Historical
Society, Larry Reed of the State Historical Society of
Wisconsin, Sandra Hatter, Cheryl Burkhart-Kriesel, Bruce
Treffer and Chris Carlson of Nebraska Cooperative
Extension, and Shirley Niemeyer and Thomas Silletto of
the University of Nebraska for their critical review of
this publication.

Dr. Parrott is the Extension Housing and Interior Design
Specialist at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State
University; Dr. Schulte and Dr. Dellenbarger are
respectively a professor of Agricultural Engineering and
Extension Housing Specialist at the University of
Nebraska-Lincoln.

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