The Michigan Barn Preservation Network (MBPN) awarded the 2014 Barn of the Year to the 1927 Calf Barn at the Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm.
The Calf Barn has been rebuilt on its original site with private funds and is now used as a multipurpose facility to support the Museum operations and to provide a location for community events. Phase I work was completed in 2013 that repaired the walls and added the entire portion back according to original drawings.
Historically, the Calf Barn was part of the award winning Holstein farm of Dr. Sarah Van Hoosen Jones, a fifth generation farmer who had a Masters Degree in Animal Husbandry and a PhD in animal genetics. Cattle from the farm were exported to Argentina, Venezuela and Argentina throughout the 1920s-1950s.
Rochester Hills Museum Supervisor Patrick McKay was honored to receive the award. “It’s nice when those who love barns, who recognize the role that barns have had in the economic development of Michigan, and who recognize a barns value to their community recognize your efforts. The Museum planned this barn adaptive reuse project for 23 years and we are fortunate that our community has stepped up to privately fund this preservation effort. We are fortunate that we live in a community that still appreciates its historic past.”
Phase II work on the Calf Barn will start later this summer with interior finishes, utilities, heating, ventilating, and air conditioning being installed. Local history exhibits will placed throughout the building as well. The Museum has already hosted wedding, anniversary, and graduation events as well as events such as Spring on the Farm, Garden Walk, and the annual Pumpkin Festival.
For more information, visit the Museum website at www.rochesterhills.org/museum. The Museum is open for drop in tours on Fridays and Saturdays from 1- 4 p.m. and group tours are available by appointment. The Museum site also includes the 1927 Dairy barn with local history exhibits, the 1840 Van Hoosen Farmhouse, 1850 Red House, 1848 Stoney Creek Schoolhouse and 16 acres of gardens and grounds bordered by Stoney Creek. The Museum is located at 1005 Van Hoosen Road, off Tienken Road between Rochester and Dequindre Roads. For more information call 248.656.4663.
About Sarah Hovis