Preserving and Protecting America's Barns

America's barns don't have to be destroyed. Enjoy these barn images and learn how these beloved buildings can be saved by restoration or recycling.

I'm not quite sure what it is that draws me to old buildings, particularly barns.

Maybe it's because I can imagine the many stories these buildings could tell if they could talk. Maybe it's because these old barns carry me back to a simpler time in history.

I've taken many photographs of old barns, and I never tire of them. I give these barn pictures as gifts to family members of those farmers who labored so many years ago.

This page focuses on barns I've discovered in Oregon County, Missouri.

If you're like me and live in the city and you're not lucky enough to live on a farm, you can still enjoy a little bit of country.

Be sure to scroll down to find barn related items that you can purchase and let these old farm buildings live on in your home.

An antique barn in better times

Author

An old decaying barn

Author

Capturing America's Past

Documenting these barns before they decay or are destroyed

I've been traveling to and discovering hidden parts of Missouri for nearly my entire life. Being from the city, country scenes intrigue me.

This barn in particular has fascinated me and stood stalwart since I was a little girl. Unfortunately, the owners no longer use it and are not repairing it, which is truly disappointing.

On my last trip to Missouri, I saw how derelict it has become. It has gone from being a usable barn to nearly just the bones of itself. I am expecting on my next trip to find it completely caved in or blown over.

I think one of the reasons why I take so many pictures of old barns is because I know that soon they'll fall in or be demolished. I think it's a shame that these beautiful buildings will not be around for me to discover and enjoy.

The old saying is true: Take a picture, it'll last longer.

The Campbell Family Barn

Author

Discover America's Farm Buildings and Learn How to Join the Barn Preservation Movement

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Time: It's Not the Only Enemy

Progress is ever moving forward

America is not a rural country as it was even 50 years ago. The number of families who farm continues to decline.

As farmers sell out to make way for developers to build cities or subdivisions, these barns run the risk of being destroyed forever.

Most people see these old farm buildings as just old and dilapidated buildings that need to be torn down to make way for newer, safer, modern buildings.

These barns are more than just old buildings, they're a link to our past. Without them, our farmers could not have supported the country during the Great Depression or the war effort during World War II.

Farmers toiled to supply citizens with necessities, and these barns were an important element to achieve that. Simply tearing them down without regard to save or recycle them is something that needs to change.

There are ways that these buildings can become useful again.

Country Barn Gifts

Let these barns live on in your home


Vintage Barn Mug Price info	Vintage Barn Mousepad Price info	Country Postcards Price info

Vintage Barns Posters Price info	Abandoned Missouri Barn in ... Price info	Create Your Own Old Missour... Price info

How Can These Old Barns Be Saved

Restoring or recycling so that these relics live on

Unfortunately, most of these barns are going to disappear.

Most farmers who own them simply don't have the resources to restore them. If they are in need of a barn, it's cheaper for them to build one from scratch.

Luckily, there are plenty of like-minded barn enthusiasts who want to save these historic buildings. One website in particular, The Barn Pages, is leading the way to save old barns.

The Barn Pages brings together farmers who have these old farm buildings they no longer want with buyers who are interested in restoring and relocating these barns to a new site.

Also, in cases where the barn is too far gone to be saved, it is dismantled and the owner can sell the lumber on the website. There are also crafty people who have taken barnwood and made items of furniture that is listed for sale.

Another company, Mountain Lumber Company, buys barns or other buildings built before 1910 and remakes them into plank flooring for homes. How beautiful would it be to have wood with such character and age to walk on and enjoy everyday?

It's through websites such as these that allow these old farm buildings to become useful again by recycling them into another barn that will stand for 100 years or as furniture or flooring that can be enjoyed by people not living on a farm.

As much as I'd like to, I don't live on a farm, so saving the ones I see and love aren't a possibility for me. Taking pictures of these old barns is how I can save them and let them live on for others to enjoy.

Pictures of Aging Barns

An old barn stands silent Author	This barn has always seemed haunted t... Author
A vintage barn Author	An old barn surrounded by fog Author

Updated: 07/21/2014, AbbyFitz

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AbbyFitz on 03/11/2013

On my grandparents' farm in Missouri there still is a barn. My grandfather died in 1984 and his coat is still hanging exactly where he left it. It's like time stood still. It's neat

dustytoes on 03/11/2013

Once I have a better vehicle I plan to drive around New England and search for wonderful places to photograph. I remember my grandfather's barn that was huge and loaded with "stuff" that a kid was not really interested in. I'd sure like to go through it now. Pictures are a good way to keep the these barns "living".

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