Historic barns are an important tangible reminder of Ohio's rural heritage. Many of these older farm buildings can also be rehabilitated to accommodate modern farming practices. The Ohio Historic Preservation Office and the OSU-Extension encourage owners to maintain their historic buildings for future generations to use and appreciate.

The Ohio Historic Preservation Office and the Ohio State University Extension have compiled a list of names and addresses of several contractors with experience in barn repair. This list should not be considered as a referral or recommendation of work of anyone on the list. You may also contact your county extension agent for the names of local barn contractors that may not be on this list. It may be wise to interview several people before selecting a contractor. Be sure to ask for client reference, examples of previous work, and estimates of the cost and time schedule for your project. Documents on the Barn Again! in Ohio program and an order form for obtaining a Barn Again! packet, and contractors list can be received by contacting the Ohio Historic Preservation Office at 614-298-2000 or click here to download the contractors list in Adobe .pdf format.

Presently, there is no grant funding available for the rehabilitation of historic barns. There are 20 percent and 10 percent federal rehabilitation tax credits available for the rehabilitation of certain income producing properties. If you are interested in applying for the 20 percent tax credit, contact Mariangela Pfister or Martha Raymond at 614-298-2000 for more detailed information. For advice on the 10 percent credit contact your tax accountant.

The following are links to sites which include information on rehabilitating historic barns:

• Barn Again!
• Friends of Ohio Barns
• Wisconsin Barns: Stories in Wood and Stone
• The Barn Journal

Eleven states have developed innovative programs to help preserve and find new uses for older and historic barns. These programs are highlighted in a new publication available from Preservation Books, Protecting Older and Historic Barns through Barn Preservation Programs. This 20-page booklet, written by Jennifer Goodman and Bill Kimball, is designed to help individuals and state and local preservation organizations get started in developing a barn preservation program. $6 for Forum members ($8 retail) plus shipping and handling; order number 2B13. Order from www.preservationbooks.org, (202) 588-6296 or www.barnagain.org, (303) 623-1504.

For more information on the Barn Again! program contact the Ohio Historic Preservation Office at 614-298-2000.