This Old Barn (what to do)

[KQ]

I've got an old barn on my property that was built in 1916. For a while I considered just tearing it down and even had my contractor look at it and he agreed that would be the best idea but now I'm not so sure.

The timbers inside are only 4x4 but they are still standing and the roof does not leak. The stall walls would need to come out and the foundation is a wreck from years of critters digging but I'm not so sure it can't be saved. Any thoughts?

My plan would be to use it as a sheep barn. Somewhere for them to get out of the elements which they could actually do now (currently there is a herd of Mule deer that use it to bed down in).

[snoqpass]

People pay good money for barn wood its all the rage right now

http://www.elmwoodreclaimedtimber.co...products-price

[riser4]

Huhuhuh, you said wood, uhuhuhuhuh.

[KQ]

People pay good money for barn wood its all the rage right now

Yeah, there is that but I do need another barn and this one is already there as opposed to building a new one.

One thing - Washington state has a program where they will match funds to save barns of historical significance. Not sure if this one meets the criteria, I would have to apply but reading through the parameters I'm doubtful I would qualify as the barn is not of unique construction of view-able from a major highway.

[4matic]

See if there is a salvage company willing to have a look. They might tear it down for free.

I watch this on DIY

http://www.diynetwork.com/shows/barnwood-builders

[iceman]

Looks nice enough for a bunch of sheep as is I'd have to say.

[Tye 1on]

i dig old stuff, so i'd be checking out that matching fund program. You could also dig in to colleges with a historic preservation program [I know U of Oregon has one] and see if they need a project.

[BmillsSkier]

Subscribed. Always interested to see what people do with old barns.

[twodogs]

Definitely keep it.

[I've seen black diamonds!]

Could 1916 seriously count as historic? Serious question from an East coaster whose post-hippy parents raised sheep in an older barn that wasn't old enough to be considered "historic." My dad got our first few ewes from a buddy who was doing psychological research at Harvard using sheep as subjects. He brought them home in the back of a Plymouth station wagon. A few years later my father brought picked up a young ram in his Camero.

What kind of sheep?

[flatlander#2]

The sexy kind?

Screw that thing, get some worth and loot from the wood unless you really have that much time to fart around with reconstructing. Build or have built one of your own. A butt load easier and you won't have to compromise on things you don't like.

[snoqpass]

Old wood can be made new

[Tye 1on]

Could 1916 seriously count as historic? Serious question from an East coaster whose post-hippy parents raised sheep in an older barn that wasn't old enough to be considered "historic." My dad got our first few ewes from a buddy who was doing psychological research at Harvard using sheep as subjects. He brought them home in the back of a Plymouth station wagon. A few years later my father brought picked up a young ram in his Camero.

What kind of sheep?

National Historic Preservation Act usually kicks in, if applicable, at 50 years old.

[twodogs]

Definitely keep it.

[Game Over]

If it has a good roof your golden. Just fill in with some gravel or chips to stop the foundation erosion and call it good.

FWIW That looks to be in a lot better shape than most old barns still in use around here in western or.

[KQ]

Could 1916 seriously count as historic? Serious question from an East coaster whose post-hippy parents raised sheep in an older barn that wasn't old enough to be considered "historic." My dad got our first few ewes from a buddy who was doing psychological research at Harvard using sheep as subjects. He brought them home in the back of a Plymouth station wagon. A few years later my father brought picked up a young ram in his Camero.

What kind of sheep?

In Washington to qualify for the historical register it only needs to be 50 years old (we're a little younger out here than the east coast).

The sheep I would love to have are Blue Faced Leicesters:

The sexy kind?


Screw that thing, get some worth and loot from the wood unless you really have that much time to fart around with reconstructing. Build or have built one of your own. A butt load easier and you won't have to compromise on things you don't like.

Well.... just got off a lengthy phone conversation with the historical preservation people and it actually sounds like a better idea to save it. Only problem is I missed the last grant cycle and the next one isn't until 2017 so I need to keep it standing until then. Bonus is they said the grant would cover other outbuildings too (I've got a milking shed and chicken coop too).

Already built this barn - cost a pretty penny. Can't imagine fixing the old one would be more esp. with matching funds.

[Cruiser]

Oh damn, that's a fine looking barn you have there.

[I've seen black diamonds!]

That's a hell of a nice looking barn.

[Game Over]

I would not touch historic preservation at all unless you want to kill your property value. No one wants get stuck with constant mandatory maintenance on a obsolete building

Edit- at least that is the line I was sold. [emoji53]

Would love to hear the specifics as we have a house and barn that are both 100 years plus

[KQ]

Oh damn, that's a fine looking barn you have there.

That's a hell of a nice looking barn.

Yeah, a little bit of overkill but very nice. I call it "The Horse Palace" LOL!

[KQ]

I would not touch historic preservation at all unless you want to kill your property value. No one wants get stuck with constant mandatory maintenance on a obsolete building

Edit- at least that is the line I was sold. [emoji53]

Would love to hear the specifics as we have a house and barn that are both 100 years plus

You brought up a good point I hadn't considered so I called Jennifer back and she agreed - good question. The registry is strictly honorary so you are not obligated to maintain the structure.

[Tippster]

Yeah, a little bit of overkill but very nice. I call it "The Horse Palace" LOL!

Is that living space upstairs?

[flatlander#2]

How close is horse palace to sliver palace? I couldn't handle the nice/new old/dumpy thing. We tend to knock things down, dig a hole, shove it in and burn in the winter. But ours are more practicality less olde tymey. Shove too many easily spooked yearlings in there and shit is going everywhere.

[KQ]

Is that living space upstairs?

Could be but right now it's just a hay loft

How close is horse palace to sliver palace? I couldn't handle the nice/new old/dumpy thing. We tend to knock things down, dig a hole, shove it in and burn in the winter. But ours are more practicality less olde tymey. Shove too many easily spooked yearlings in there and shit is going everywhere.

You can't really see one barn from the other because of a line of cottonwoods. Distance between the two is probably about 70 yards (the "silver palace" sits back further (north) and to the west). It sits on an old homestead with a milking shed, chicken coop and a house all built in 1916. The new barn was built on what had been an asparagus field so no other structures close by. The land around it is fenced and cross fenced for horses.

[Buster Highmen]

Grow op. Duh.