Barn of the Year Awards

Submit your 2012 nominations!

Do you know of an outstanding barn in your region? If so, drop us a line and get it nominated for the annual Friends of Ohio Barns “Barn of the Year Award”. The deadline for entries is December 31st, 2011.

Nominations will be judged in three categories this year: agricultural use, adaptive re-use (non-agricultural) and stewardship. Some of the criteria we use to select barns are:

Agricultural Use: original intent and current use, generational history, current condition and barn repairs.

Adaptive re-use: history of barn and present day use, completed restoration work, aesthetics, significance and exposure to the community.

Stewardship award: restored barns that don’t meet criteria above, but serve a family function such as storage, entertainment structure or not readily accessible to public.

Nominations should include photos, the current owners’ name, location of the barn, current use of the barn, history of the barn including the age and builder if known, and information on repairs and who made them, if known.

Please use this form to contribute nominations. Nominations must be emailed or mailed to Dan Troth by December 31st, 2011!

7591 Perry Rd, Delaware, Ohio 43015.

The awards will be presented at the Ohio Barn Conference XIII in 2012.

2011 Barn of the Year Award Winners

Another great crop of barn submissions were judged prior to the recent OBC XII and the winners were:

Stewardship Award

Richard Finke from Fairfield Co. He has an 1830's Pennsylvania bank barn rich in local history that Mr Finke protects.

Agricultural Award

Steve & Debbie Miller also from Fairfield Co. They are caretakers of 3 rare double overhang barns on this historic homestead. They are being used for grain and hay storage.

Adaptive Re-Use Award

Robert & Sandra Routzahn from Crawford Co. They dismantled and rebuilt a circa 1900 gambrel barn into a home for the couple. It has a 30x40 clear span space in the main living area with garage and bedroom additions.

Thanks to everyone who entered!

2009 Barn of the Year Award Winners

Awarded for Adaptive Re-Use:

Bill Fling was the recipient of the adaptive re-use award for his barn on the Fling family farm. Bill's great grandfather, Albert J. Fling bought the farmstead around 1900 and began building the barn in 1902. The 2 story ground barn was utilized for storage and horses on this 200 acre working horse farm until 5 years ago when the thought came to Bill to remake the barn into a place for gatherings.

The Flings worked with local carpenters to repair and modernize the barn so it could become a facility that hosts weddings, reunions, and private parties. There is 3000 sq. ft. of floor space in the old milled timber structure with wet bars, a performance stage, dance hall, and outdoor deck for relaxing. Early Americana items decorate the barn, many, no doubt from the barns previous life.

The Flings have taken it a step further by providing for horse drawn carriage rides to enhance the bridal experience. They also provide in house catering, and hire a local band favorite to provide entertainment. It looks like a lively way to adapt and old barn into a new use! Members and guests will get a first-hand look at the Fling Farm this fall when Bill hosts our fall picnic, so come join us!

Awarded for Agricultural Use:

The award for agricultural use went to Dr. Ed Martinek. Mr. Martinek purchased the farm and German style bank barn in 2007, and set out to restore the 1851 structure to use in some sort of agri-business or agri-tourism. The original owner was Micheal Swigart who it is believed farmed their as early as 1812. The family cleared and broke the virgin soil, then lived and farmed there for several generations.

Ed Martinek saw the value in the old barn, and understood the significance the barn had with the community. In 2008 Ed hired the Architectural Reclamation Inc. company to begin the restoration process. They preserved the corn crib, granary, and stone foundation while adding some modern amenities such as upgraded electrical service, stairs and additional framing to withstand heavier loads. The barn features gunstock style posts and has two intact 60 ft. summer beams.

The crew of Architectural Reclamation nominated Mr. Martinek for the award in part because they were justifiably proud of their work, but also because they were happy that someone had the foresight to take a once prominent part of the community and restore it for another 150 years of service. It is currently serving as storage for hay and farm equipment.

2007 Barn of the Year Award Winners

Awarded for Adaptive Re-Use:

Ric Beck presents Melissa Camp the 2007 Barn of the Year Award for adaptive re-use of the barn at Shepherd's Corner. It is owned by the Dominican Sisters, St. Mary of the Springs and is located at 987 N. Waggoner Rd., Blacklick, OH.

Awarded for Agricultural Use:

Ric Beck presents Lloy E. Funk with the 2007 Barn of the Year Award for Agricultural Use. His bank barn is located at 841 County Road 1600, Ashland, OH.