Old Iowa barn restoration

[IAbarnguy]

I'm finally getting around to posting some information and pictures about the repair and restoration of our old barn in Butler County, Iowa, about 25 miles west of Waterloo, IA. The process started in 2004. In 2003 no one was living on the place and someone started stealing siding off the south (back) side of the barn. As discouraging as that was, it forced us into making a decision to either save and restore the barn or tear it down. After some thought, we decided to save it and fix it up. We worked with the Iowa Barn Foundation, but elected not to apply for a grant, and were given their Award of Distinction for restoring the barn using our own funds. Most of the work needed was exterior ... roof, windows, doors, siding, paint, etc.  The interior mostly needed lots of cleaning.  The project was completed in 2009 and was on the Iowa All-State Fall Barn Tour that year and every year since then. Here are some semi-chronological pictures of the work that was done.

Fall 2003.  South side after thieves stole over half of the siding on that side.  



2003 - View from Northwest.  Both the little milk room on the left and lean-to on the right were in bad shape, not original and would be removed.


2004 - South side.  Stolen siding has been replaced to at least secure the barn.


South side, cleaned up a bit.



2007 - Lean-to removed.


2007 - South side roofing work started.  Removed original wood shingles and two asphalt layers.  Left original roofing boards, laid sheeting on top of those, then traditional felt/asphalt shingles.





North side - milk room removed.



North side - Cupola removed, siding replaced.


2008 - North side roofing work.  No, it's not me up there!  Depended on strong, sure-footed, young bucks to do that.  The rectangular hole is where the inside wooden silo was filled.



2008 - The cupolas were off the barn for roofing when a huge storm blew them out into the field and wrecked them both.  I spent many hours pounding, bending, rebuilding, painting, etc., to get them back looking like new.





I re-glazed and painted both transom windows that are on the north side.  We believe at one time there were sliding doors under each window.  They are made with small wooden dowel pins ... no nails, screws or bolts.



South side with new sliding door.  Just waiting for final painting.


2009 - Southwest view - finished!


2009 - Painting done - finished!

[Dave]

Wow Thanks for showing this. Great save.

[tarnished]

Thanks for posting IA,
Wonderful save. Great looking barn now. Can't believe it is the same with the wings gone. Was the milk shed the same as the one you posted on your other thread?
Tell us more about the missing siding? Was it taken for art supplies, as happens around here? Or for somebody else restoration project? That would make me insane!
You did a remarkable job restoring the ventilators. Look almost like new! Can't wait to see more.

[IAbarnguy]

Thanks for the comments.  The little, rectangular milk room on the north side, was empty and falling down.  We removed it and filled in the siding.  Regarding the stolen siding on the south side .... we never did find out who stole it, where it went, etc.  The barn sits out in the country, and at the time only one, elderly neighbor nearby.  No one was living in our farm house then and the side they took faces away from the road.  Yes, very maddening.

[buiboy]

I love to see old barns saved. You did a great job restoring the barn as well as documenting it.
It's too bad individuals think that just because its there and not being used they can just steal what they want.
Thanks for sharing, I enjoyed the thread and look forward to more.

[barnman]

That looks great. Such a nice old barn given another chance.

[ohiosam]

Lots of hard work! It looks great! You should be proud.