Revitalize Your Historic Barn: Friends of Ohio Barns!

Revitalize Your Historic Barn: Resources from Friends of Ohio Barns

If you’ve got an old barn on your property, you’re not just holding onto a structure—you’re holding onto a piece of Ohio’s agricultural and architectural heritage. Whether it's leaning a little, missing siding, or simply weathered by time, your barn has a story worth preserving. The good news? You don’t have to tackle it alone. Friends of Ohio Barns is here to help.

This passionate nonprofit organization is dedicated to the preservation, documentation, and celebration of Ohio’s historic barns. Since 2001, they’ve been a go-to resource for barn owners, historians, and preservationists alike—offering tools, support, and community to help you revitalize your barn the right way.

How Friends of Ohio Barns Can Help:

1. Expert Guidance:

From identifying your barn’s style to offering restoration tips, Friends of Ohio Barns provides the technical knowledge needed to make smart restoration decisions. Their workshops, field trips, and events are packed with insights on structural integrity, materials, and traditional building methods.

2. Connections to Resources:

Need help finding a preservation contractor, grant opportunities, or guidance on listing your barn on the Ohio Historic Inventory? They’ll point you in the right direction. While Ohio doesn’t currently offer direct barn grants, resources and networks available through Friends of Ohio Barns can lead to tax credits and funding options.

3. Community and Events:

Their annual barn tour and barn conference bring together barn lovers from across the state to learn, share, and get inspired. It’s a great way to see real-world restorations and meet others on the same journey.

Restoring a barn may seem overwhelming—but with the help of Friends of Ohio Barns, you’re not just saving a building. You’re bringing history back to life, one beam at a time.

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