Barn Believers

Underground Railroad Society of Cass County, Vandalia

While they are called “carriage houses,” in fact, these special structures were barns where both a carriage and the horsepower to pull it were sheltered on the main floor with living quarters above. The carriage houses stood behind homes from the 1700s into the early 1900s. Some remaining today have been given new uses. This 1850-era Gothic Revival barn stands on the historic James Bonine property at M-60 in Vandalia. Bonine and others in Cass County created refuge for African American freedom seekers from the south. Today, the Bonine house and carriage house are central to the URSCC and its work to preserve and honor important local and national history, both that of helping freed slaves and area agriculture. Barn Believers has made three grants to the URSCC since 2022. The first was used to purchase a new lightning protection system for the carriage house. The second replaced windows on the first level and the third grant continues with upper level window replacement. Money is being raised to complete the Carriage House by 2027, including additional work to siding and trim. A hidden compartment on the third floor is believed to have been created to hide people seeking safety.

We congratulate Cathy LaPointe on being chosen by the Underground Railroad Free Press to receive the 2025 Hortense Simmons Memorial Prize for the Advancement of Knowledge for her dedicated research and stewardship of the URSCC.

Mason County Historic Society, Ludington

The Society has used its 2021 grant at its Historic White Pines Village to replace 40 faded signs in the Jorissen Barn which was moved and rebuilt on the grounds in 1976. The barn features displays of farm equipment from the 1850-1900 era, a diagram and images showing the process of coopering (barrel-making), and an array of farming tools. The displays are important to visitors from around the world and figure into educational activities for school children.

Bowne Township Historical Commission, Alto

The Commission sought to raise funds to support the relocation of a barn built circa 1860 to become a Barn Museum of Agriculture. The barn was built by a Civil War veteran, John W. Stone. Owners would have donated the barn and a collection of barn and farm-related tools and implements. Importantly, the barn would have been used to host educational events for children. Barn Believers’ support would have helped with the relocation. The grant was returned in full to Barn Believers Project Fund when sufficient support to save this historic barn could not be raised.

Western Michigan Fair Association, Ludington

Known as the Wing Barn #27, this 1900-era barn is the oldest, original building on the Mason County fairgrounds. The dairy barn was dismantled when donated by the Wing family, moved and rebuilt on the fairgrounds to house harness horses. The integrity of its monitor roof was maintained in the move. Barn Believers’ support assisted with restoration and repainting. The Wing Barn is also part of the Mason County Barn Quilt Trail. Fairgoers and Trail followers by the thousands, see the barn each year.

Historic Adventist Village, Battle Creek

A barn with an unusual life received repairs at Historic Adventist Village in Battle Creek. A $5,000 grant from Barn Believers in 2023 assisted with repairs needed on doors (seen in photos here), correcting water drainage at the barn’s foundation, and purchasing paint. Known as the Snow Barn, the gable-roof hay barn has been built once, moved, and rebuilt twice in its long life. The English-style barn was first built before 1886 on the Francis Snow property south of Battle Creek. When development encroached, the family donated the barn to the Battle Creek Kiwanis to become part of an intended “Pioneer Homestead.” The barn sat for several years adjacent to Kingman Museum but fearing vandalism when it was not used as planned by the Historical Society of Battle Creek, it was gifted to the Historic Adventist Village. The Village honors the early roots of Seventh Day Adventism in Battle Creek and has thousands of visitors from around the world every year who tour original homes including that of Church founder Ellen G. White, an 1852 log cabin, an 1857 meeting house, and other original or replica structures.

The Snow Barn was “flaked” or sectioned when it was moved the short distance from beside the museum to the village. Currently used for storage and occasional special events, when a new storage building is completed, the barn will used for plays, musical programs and prayer gatherings. Adventist history notes that the barn of Adventist pioneer Jonah Lewis once stood close to where this barn has been placed. It also records, “Jonah went to the haymow of his barn three times a day to pray.” Barns are important to Adventism as places to meet, worship and seek shelter.

Also in pursuit of our mission “To inform and inspire” Barn Believers is:

• Disseminating “Saving Heritage Barns.” Copies have been mailed to individuals and groups in more than 18 states and Canada.
• Responding to inquiries about issues concerning barn owners.
• Making museums and historical societies aware of grant support.
• Teaming up with leaders to consider comprehensive collections work.
• Talking with stakeholders who influence ag education and training.
• Encouraging people who care about barns to work together.
• Getting the word out in a variety of publications and media outlets.
• Responding to media inquiries and assisting with articles for publication.