Project Background
The district had leased the barn from the county, approximately from 1994 to 2012 using it primarily for tree sales and partnered with Pheasants Forever selling chicks for pheasant re-habitation in the county.
The barn, owned by the county was and left unused after 2012 -2018, the county commissioners voted to demolish the barn in August of 2018. Concerned citizens contacted the district about saving the Historical Land mark, so with prompting from the community we went on a campaign to Save the Barn.
We received a $25,000.00 donation from Dave and Patty Kepler, and $35,000.00 in private donations making it possible to negotiate the purchase from the county. In July of 2019 the commissioners voted 6-1 to sell us the barn and 5 acres.
The Midland Conservation District purchased the property and created a plan to use the barn as an education center. With remaining funds from the purchase donations in May of 2020 we added a new roof and the Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation came through with a generous $20,000.00 donation to complete the roof dormers and do excavation to remove water from the adjacent property that was flowing in to the barns west end causing structural damage.
In November of 2020, the District received funding from the Midland Area Community Foundation to help complete our goal to transform this special space into the "Midland Conservation District Tomlinson Barn Education Center." We had electric and water hooked up, the inside has been power washed, new steel siding, windows and doors have been added, and we replaced the support beams in the west end that were damaged by the water, the milk house has been insulated and finished with heat to protect the water hook up.
We removed most of the debris, created some flower gardens.
In July 2021 we had experts from the Michigan Barn Preservation Network out to check the structure, they gave us a great report stating the barn was in good structural shape with no immediate issues.
That report makes us feel good about saving this Historical Landmark.
The barn, owned by the county was and left unused after 2012 -2018, the county commissioners voted to demolish the barn in August of 2018. Concerned citizens contacted the district about saving the Historical Land mark, so with prompting from the community we went on a campaign to Save the Barn.
We received a $25,000.00 donation from Dave and Patty Kepler, and $35,000.00 in private donations making it possible to negotiate the purchase from the county. In July of 2019 the commissioners voted 6-1 to sell us the barn and 5 acres.
The Midland Conservation District purchased the property and created a plan to use the barn as an education center. With remaining funds from the purchase donations in May of 2020 we added a new roof and the Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation came through with a generous $20,000.00 donation to complete the roof dormers and do excavation to remove water from the adjacent property that was flowing in to the barns west end causing structural damage.
In November of 2020, the District received funding from the Midland Area Community Foundation to help complete our goal to transform this special space into the "Midland Conservation District Tomlinson Barn Education Center." We had electric and water hooked up, the inside has been power washed, new steel siding, windows and doors have been added, and we replaced the support beams in the west end that were damaged by the water, the milk house has been insulated and finished with heat to protect the water hook up.
We removed most of the debris, created some flower gardens.
In July 2021 we had experts from the Michigan Barn Preservation Network out to check the structure, they gave us a great report stating the barn was in good structural shape with no immediate issues.
That report makes us feel good about saving this Historical Landmark.
Working to Enhance Our Community
|
Saving the Historical Barn
What a great idea for an Educational Center. And what better way than an old barn needing new life. This Historical Barn built in 1924, has big plans to provide a one of a kind space dedicated to natural resource education. The primary focus will be on the youth of the community, However, we will have education for all. Topics will include soil, water, air health, local resource concerns, conservation pratices and implementation, sound environmental stewardship, urban gardening and agriculture pratices. This center will be available by appointment for groups up to 30, begining in the Spring 2022. Details will be posted soon! |
|
Benefits to the Community
|
|
Where We've Been, and Where We Are Going
Goals Completed to Date Include:
Midland Area Community Foundation Support
As of November, 2020, the District was awarded a $57,770 grant award from the Midland Area Community Foundation for funding of development of the property. The Midland Area Community Foundation provides philanthropic leadership to strengthen our community by fostering collaboration and giving today and in the future. This project was submitted to the 2020 cycle of the Foundation's Community Investment award as a project designated to the Focus Area: Enriching Our Community. The Foundation funded the District's proposal for the following goals:
1-2 Year Goals: What to Expect in the Near Future
3-5 Year Goals
- Electric Hook Up: $3,500 (Gifted and completed - Thank You!)
- New Roof: $30,000 (Gifted and completed - Thank You!)
- Excavating remove debris and stop water from flooding the barn ($4,600.00 Gifted and completed - Thank You!)
- City water access hooked up - Thank You!
Midland Area Community Foundation Support
As of November, 2020, the District was awarded a $57,770 grant award from the Midland Area Community Foundation for funding of development of the property. The Midland Area Community Foundation provides philanthropic leadership to strengthen our community by fostering collaboration and giving today and in the future. This project was submitted to the 2020 cycle of the Foundation's Community Investment award as a project designated to the Focus Area: Enriching Our Community. The Foundation funded the District's proposal for the following goals:
- City water access hooked up: Completed, Thank You MACF!
- The interpretive tree trail excavation and implementation
- High tunnel and community garden space excavation and implementation,
- Painting the barn exterior, property signage
- A tractor for grounds maintenance.
1-2 Year Goals: What to Expect in the Near Future
- Annual Meeting and Board member election May 18, 2021: barn open house and picnic)
- Family Fun Days
- Conservation Matters Workshops
- Conservation Demonstrations
- Garden Space
- Annual Reforestation Tree Sales for native trees and shrubs
3-5 Year Goals
- A small restroom facility
- Workshops for schools and youth groups
- A farm market (free to local home producers wanting to sell their product according to the Michigan Cottage Law)
How You Can Help
The District is now seeking donations and monetary gifts from the local community for the following needs for the property:
All donations go directly to the project. Checks can be payable to the Midland Conservation District noting Barn Project; all monetary gifts are tax deductible and can be mailed to 954 E. Isabella Rd, Midland MI 48640. Any donation amount will help us toward our goal to creating an education space for learning, growing, and bettering our community. All donations over $100 will receive a 'Friends of the Barn' plaque posted inside the barn. Please contact District Administrator Karen Thurlow at midlandconservation@macd.org or by phone at 989.486.2325 with any questions. Thank you for participating in our efforts to serve our community, and conserve Midland County's natural resources for present and future generations!
- Supplies for Educational programs
- Educational Tunnels improvements
- Gardening supplies such as hoes, shovels, rakes, pots, soil, seeds
- Restroom facility for the future including a septic system
- Your time: we are also seeking volunteers to help us complete and carry out our vision.
All donations go directly to the project. Checks can be payable to the Midland Conservation District noting Barn Project; all monetary gifts are tax deductible and can be mailed to 954 E. Isabella Rd, Midland MI 48640. Any donation amount will help us toward our goal to creating an education space for learning, growing, and bettering our community. All donations over $100 will receive a 'Friends of the Barn' plaque posted inside the barn. Please contact District Administrator Karen Thurlow at midlandconservation@macd.org or by phone at 989.486.2325 with any questions. Thank you for participating in our efforts to serve our community, and conserve Midland County's natural resources for present and future generations!
