Several Local Barns Featured on All-State Barn Tour

If you are looking for something different to do on a September weekend, consider taking a self- guided tour of Iowa’s historic barns.

The Iowa Barn Foundation is holding its 26th Annual All-State Barn Tour on Saturday and Sunday, featuring over 100 barns across the state that will be available for visiting inside and out from 9-5 both days. 

The fall tour highlights barns that have received a restoration grant from the foundation and those that have received an Award of Distinction or Preservation Award for restoration funded by the owner. Many of the owners will be on hand to share their memories and regard for the structures and answer your questions.

This year’s tour includes 108 stops, including 12 barns which are on the tour for the first time. If you have only seen barns from the road, you are missing out on the true beauty which lies within the walls. That is where you will see the true craftsmanship that went into the construction of these “cathedrals on the prairie.” The tour includes a record 16 round barns, which are some of the most rare and unique barns in the state. 

Among the local barns on this year’s All-State Barn Tour include:

• Dighton Round Barn near Coggon
• Crystal Springs Farm near Epworth
• Mulford Barn near Aurora
• Clear View Farm Barn near Volga
• Hempstead Barn near Fillmore – a new stop on the tour

The self-guided fall tour is free and open to the public. You can find an interactive online tour guide at iowabarnfoundation.org/barn-tours. 

photo of Dighton Round Barn courtesy of Iowa Barn Foundation