Sudbury

Ontario Barn Preservation group turning its attention to the north

In 2019, the non-profit Barn Preservation of Ontario was created in hopes of saving and preserving as many barns across the province as possible. Mainly focused in southern Ontario, the organization is now turning its attention to the historic barns of the north.

'Once the history is gone there's nothing.. we need to preserve rural history,' says John Busch.

In the photo you will see a barn structure that is brown and older. It was recently preserved by a non-profit organization.
Ontario Barn Preservation is a non-profit group that works to keep historic barns standing, like this one near St. Thomas that was built in the 1880s. (Submitted by John Busch)

In 2019, the non-profit Barn Preservation of Ontario was created in hopes of saving and preserving as many barns across the province as possible.

Mainly focused in southern Ontario, the organization is now turning its attention to the historic barns of the north. 

"Right now we can't speak to how old the barns are in northern Ontario, we need reps up there to help us dig up the information up so we have a better knowledge of them," said group representative John Busch. 

"I had posted information on a barn here on the Facebook page and a woman commented and asked if I would consider coming to look at her barn."

A photograph of an old barn in St Thomas that has been torn down. It was red and grey in colour.
John Busch took this photo of a barn in Elgin County in 2019. It has since been torn down, but it is now the basis for a sculpture put up in the area, preserving the memory of the barn. (Submitted by John Busch)

Busch is planning a trip to Manitoulin Island next month to see that barn, as well as six others he's become aware of. He says while the barns of the north are generally not as old as down south, some on the island date back to the 19th Century. 

The group literally tries to keep barns from falling over by giving advice to property owners, as well as suggesting contractors who could help. And one day, the group hopes to be able to offer financial support as well. 

"Once the history is wiped out, you have nothing. You need to study the history to learn the future," said Busch.

"These old barns are built at a time when it would maybe cost the farmer $600 to help with the frame of it. They were then built by neighbours coming in to help finish the build.

"The barn was the base of that farm but also the core connection often within the community."

Old grey barn with a fence and various cows laying near it.
Ontario Barn Preservation offers property owners advice on how to keep the historic structures standing, as well as connecting them with contractors who could help. (Submitted by John Busch)

He hopes there will be someone in northern Ontario who will step up and become a regional rep for the organization in that area. 

"We need help, we need volunteers from northern Ontario to collect their stories and add them to the main consensus across the province," said Busch, adding that he has heard of some historic barns up in the Kirkland Lake and Cochrane areas, but hasn't been up to see them. 

"They probably don't even know about us. So we need someone in northern Ontario who can hold up our flag and help these people." 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kayla Guerrette

Reporter-Editor

Kayla Guerrette is a Reporter-Editor with the CBC bureau in Sudbury, Ont. Have a story idea to share or a news tip? E-mail: kayla.guerrette@cbc.ca