2003 Proclaimed "The Year of the Barn" in Wisconsin

Barnstorm Wisconsin Media Alert

As the opening of the Smithsonian traveling exhibition Barn Again! Celebrating an American Icon kicks off the state-wide tour in Wausaukee this month, Governor McCallum recently proclaimed 2003 the "Year of the Barn" in Wisconsin.

The result of a collaborative effort between UW-Extension and the Wisconsin Humanities Council, the Governor signed the formal proclamation on November 27th. Joining these groups in praising the Governor for his support were the Wisconsin Historical Society and Barns N.O.W! (Network of Wisconsin), partners in the successful Wisconsin Barn Preservation Program.

"The Wisconsin Humanities Council works to support communities around Wisconsin in their efforts to use the humanities to explore issues that matter to them. We are thrilled to be coordinating the tour of Barn Again! Celebrating an American Icon. We see the activities and conversations inspired by this project leaving a lasting legacy of barn appreciation in Wisconsin," says Jessica Becker, Barnstorm Wisconsin Coordinator of the Wisconsin Humanities Council.

Barnstorm Wisconsin is an initiative of the Wisconsin Humanities Council that is bringing Barn Again! Celebrating an American Icon to Wisconsin. The exhibition features architectural models, photographs, popular culture objects and period advertisements, a special exhibit on Wisconsin's barns and agricultural history and a "family nook" with activities for children of all ages.

On February 1, 2003, Barnstorm Wisconsin kicks off the statewide tour of the exhibition Barn Again! Celebrating an American Icon at the Wausaukee High School. The Wausaukee School District, one of six communities hosting the exhibit, will celebrate the opening with a Farm Breakfast from 8-11AM.


Traveling the state throughout the year, Barn Again! Celebrating an American Icon will also be shown at:
·    Rusk County Community Library in Ladysmith from March 14-April 20
·    The Lind Farm, hosted by the Blanchardville Historical Society, in Blanchardville from April 26-June 1
·    Agricultural Heritage and Resources "Heritage Farm" in Kewaunee from June 6-July 27
·    Farm Progress Days in Waupaca County from July 15-17
·    St. Croix ArtBarn in Osceola from Aug. 15-Sept. 21
·    Washburn Historical Museum and Cultural Arts Center in Washburn from Sept. 26-Nov. 1

For more information on Barnstorm Wisconsin and tour of Barn Again! Celebrating an American Icon, visit the Barnstorm Wisconsin webpages at www.wisconsinhumanities.org.

Wisconsin is noteworthy for its active support in attempt to preserve historic barns. The Wisconsin Barn Preservation Program, spearheaded by UW-Extension, has focused on building public awarenesss for the need to preserve historic barns, offered regional educational workshops covering technical issues associated with preserving and maintaining older rural buildings and developed a series of publications that support those interested in preserving or appreciating older Wisconsin barns. Since this program began in 1995, over 16 workshops have been held throughout the state attracting over 1700 participants. For more information on the Wisconsin Barn Preservation program visit the following web site: www.uwex.edu/lgc/barns/barns.htm

Photos available on request.


Contact: Jessica Becker 608-263-3155

Wisconsin Humanities Council
222 S. Bedford St. Suite F, Madison, WI 53703
608-262-0706 (ph)
608-263-7970 (fax)


Chuck Law 608-265-2501

University of Wisconsin – Extension
229 Lowell Hall, 610 Langdon St., Madison WI 53703
608-265-8662 (fax)

Local Event Schedule for the Barnstorm Wisconsin 2003 Tour:
Visit the Wisconsin Humanities Council website www.wisconsinhumanities.org for updates. Contact local Project Directors for more details on special events planned.

Wausaukee (Marinette Co.)
Februay 1 - March 9, 2003
Hosted by the School District of Wausaukee
at the School District building in Wausaukee; N11941 U.S. Hwy 141;
open daily from 10 AM to 2 PM.
Contact: Suzie Schlies at 715-856-5153 x217

Special events and features include:
February 1, 2003: at the School District building in Wausaukee; N11941 U.S. Hwy 141.
8 AM Farm Breakfast $4.00 for advance tickets/$5.00 at the door.
11:00 AM Opening ceremony with James Robson of the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board.
February 2, 2003: at the School District building in Wausaukee; N11941 U.S. Hwy 141.
Free ice cream sundaes served by the Marinette County Dairy Promotion Group from 10 AM to 2 PM.
February 8, 2003: at the School District building in Wausaukee; N11941 U.S. Hwy 141.
Watercolor workshop with local artist Johanna Axelrod. Materials fee is extra.
February 15, 2003: at the School District building in Wausaukee; N11941 U.S. Hwy 141.
    Sheep to Shawl spinning and weaving demonstrations from 10 AM to 2PM.
February 22, 2003: at the School District building in Wausaukee; N11941 U.S. Hwy 141.
    Northwoods Quilters Guild demonstration from 10 AM to 2 PM.
March 1, 2003: at the School District building in Wausaukee; N11941 U.S. Hwy 141.
4-H Weekend! Local groups will demonstrate butter making and fiber crafts from 10 AM to 2PM.

Ladysmith (Rusk Co.)
March 14 - April 20, 2003
Hosted by the Rusk County Community Library
Contact: Mary Bloedow at 715-532-2604

Special events and features include:
·    A locally produced exhibit at the library on the dairy industry.
·    A regional art contest with winning piece reproduced as a large art print/poster
·    A poetry workshop in the schools with Poet Laureate Ellen Kort and display of student poetry at the library.
·    Poetry presentation by Poet Laureate Ellen Kort with a reading of her original Barnstorm Wisconsin poem.
·    Library book discussion program "Images of Rural Life" with special guest, author of "The Land Remembers," Ben Logan.
·    A county-wide barn survey done by volunteers and local youth groups in collaboration with the Center for the Study Upper Midwestern Culture
·    An antique farm equipment exhibit on the library lawn

Blanchardville (Lafayette Co.)
April 26 - June 1
Hosted by the Blanchardville Historical Society at the Lind Farm
Contact: Becky Johnson at 608-523-1507

Special events and features include:
·    Family Fun Days at Folklore Village (in rural Barneveld) with potluck supper and barndance.
·    A field planting demonstration with 12 teams of horses from the Jefferson County Draft Horse Association and a discussion by rural sociologist Doug Harper on changes in agricultural technology.
·    A parade in downtown Blanchardville.
·    A dance performance called "Field Work" and community history event presented by Wild Space Urban Dance Company
·    An exhibit on the evolution of milking equipment
·    Presentations by Wisconsin author Jerry Apps and other speakers
·    A farm toy show, antique equipment display, and quilt show.
·    Barns N.O.W. workshop at Stonefield Village in Cassville.
·    A Corn Maze in rural Argyle
·    An Ice Cream Social on the Farm

Kewaunee (Kewaunee Co.)
June 6 - July 27
Hosted by the Agricultural Heritage and Resources "Heritage Farm"
Contact: Jerry Sinkula at 920-388-0604

Special events and features include:
·    Locally produced, rotating exhibits on "Children on the Land," "Keeping a Household on the Farm," "History in a Different Scale," "Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something…Booyah," and "Czech It Out."
·    Children's barn art display, barn photography show, quilt and rag rug display, toy and doll show
·    Presentations by storytellers, puppet shows and other children's activities
·    "Old Fashioned" County Fair, craft show, petting zoo, wagon rides, demonstration blacksmith shop, and ice cream making
·    Barn dance, live country music and line dancing, live polka music, brass bands, Czech Heritage bands and the Wisconsin Czech Choraliers, amongst others
·    "Visit the Farm Weekend" with area farm open houses and tours
·    "Antique Toy Roadshow"
·    "On the Farm Breakfast," "Cook Stove Ladies" cooking demonstrations and ethnic food.


Farm Technology Days (Waupaca County)
July 15 – July 17 at the Clinton Farm
Hosted by Farm Technology Days in the Dairy Technology Tent, with support from the Waupaca Historical Society
Contact: Jessica Becker 608-263-3155


Osceola (Polk Co.)
August 15 - September 21
Hosted by the St. Croix ArtBarn
Contact: Neil & Ellen Johnson at 715-294-2787

Special events and features include:
·    A barn dance
·    Performances of an original, commissioned music piece for Barnstorm Wisconsin
·    Images of Rural Life book discussion program
·    Performances of the plays "Chocolate Milk Cow" and "Dancing the Cows Home"
·    Locally produced exhibits
·    County-wide barn tours
·    Commemorative exhibition of excerpts from the past 100 years of the local newspaper


Washburn (Bayfield Co.)
September 26 - November 1
Hosted by the Washburn Historical Museum & Cultural Arts Center
Contact: Terry Wagner at 715-373-5135

Special events and features include:
·    An art show, produced by the Chequamegon Bay Arts Council called "Regarding Farms"
·    Barnstorm Wisconsin humanities projects in the area fourth grade classrooms
·    Barn dances and hayrides.
·    Driving and walking barn tours of Bayfield County.
·    A Junior High School and High School Essay Contest on the theme of "Growing Up in Rural America."
·    The design of an original Chequamegon Quilt based on barns in the area.
·    A dance performance called "Field Work" and community history event presented by Wild Space Urban Dance Company
·    "Future of the Farm Symposium," from October 24-25, 2003 with expert panelists and speakers
·    "Images of Rural Life" book discussion at Washburn Library










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