photo by: Douglas County

McQuillian Barn

The Douglas County Heritage Conservation Council will be hosting a Barn Fest event early next month where the public can learn about the preservation of historic barns in the county.

The event aims to highlight the beauty and stories of the historic farmsteads of Douglas County and connect property owners, students, contractors and enthusiasts interested in preservation of these places and stories, according to a press release.

“The Douglas County Heritage Conservation Council has been excited to create an event which celebrates our beautiful historic barns of Douglas County,” Heritage Conservation Council member Amy Van de Riet said in the release. “We are so happy to organize this event in an effort to preserve and honor our rural architecture and history.”

The barn fest kicks off with an all-day workshop on Friday, Nov. 8, at the Lecompton Community Pride Building, 620 E. Woodson Ave. This event will feature speaker sessions focused on barn preservation, an introduction to rural architecture, and an exploration of the complete lifecycle of barns in the region.

Here is the schedule for Friday, Nov. 8:

* 9 a.m. – Registration and check-in

* 9:30 a.m. – Opening remarks

* 10 a.m. – Barns 101: An introduction to rural architecture and historic resources in Northeast Kansas

* 11:15 a.m. – The Lifecyle of a Barn: Bald Eagle Barn Wood

* 12:30 p.m. – Lunch and a self-guided tour of Lecompton

* 1:30 p.m. – Historic preservation resources

* 3:45-5 p.m. – Optional tour of the Territorial Capital Museum

On Saturday, Nov. 9, a guided tour of historic barns and structures in Douglas County will take place, offering participants a chance to explore the region’s architectural heritage. Attendees can choose to drive independently or gather at 9 a.m. at the Lecompton Community Pride Building for carpooling. The tour will feature several notable locations, including Winter School, Grover Barn, McQuillian Farmstead, Sowers/Crawford Farmstead, and Elmwood Farm Barn, with the tour set to begin at 9:30 a.m.

Registration for the event is free and will be conducted on a first-come, first-served basis. The event is partially funded by a Historic Preservation Fund grant from the Kansas Historical Society. For more details and to register, visit https://dgcoks.gov/hcc.