The Oakland Township Historical Society has completed a survey and documentation of the township’s remaining barns over 50 years old as part of the Michigan Farm and Barn Survey conducted by Michigan State University Museum in Lansing.
During the two-year intensive survey, the township lost three old barns to development. The society became concerned about losing more and has voiced concern at township planning commission meetings when developer projects are on the agenda.
Developers in turn have started working with OTHS to plan how to save more buildings important to the local heritage.
‘Maybe there are more ways now to incorporate more buildings into new developments to help preserve that ‘country? atmosphere new residents want,? said Carolyn Dulin, OTHS president. ‘Especially when the buildings are authentic, have unique construction and have stood over 100 years.?
A number of artifacts were found at the Kern Nursery, or former Peters farm, and when it was discovered that the property was to change hands soon to Silverman Development, OTHS asked if it could have them before construction began.
It was then that the idea to save an entire barn occurred, and Silverman was delighted the barn might be salvaged. It offered OTHS the barn, along with a donation to help dismantle and move it to a proposed location in a township park and farmstead that once had a barn of the same size, style and age.
OTHS has hired Michigan barn wright Steve Stier to direct the project, which begins March 19, on site. Volunteers will work under the direction of Stier to dismantle the barn over the weekend and move the parts to the Cranberry Lake Farm and Park.
Because time was short before Silverman planned to begin, a flurry of activity ensued to get the interest and help of the park commission, historic district commission, OTHS and Silverman developers. All are in favor and have contributed funds as well as individual members.
‘It just got rolling and with our new barn survey knowledge, and we know we are saving an important part of our history here in the township,? said Mary Asmus, survey team leader.
OTHS has collected a sufficient amount to dismantle, move, build a foundation and rebuild to almost completion, with Stier supervising a group of volunteers.
The barn has post and beam construction. The bark remains on some of the beams. The barn is framed with mortise and tenon joints and wooden pegs.
It has a particularly interesting inscription painted inside of a former owner, J. Flumerfelt 1879. The Flumerfelt Family owned land both in Oakland and Avon Townships (Rochester Hills and Rochester), and farmed in Oakland Township for 100 years.
The barn has been well preserved with a shingled roof. The first operation will be to remove the roof shingles, sheeting, rafters and timbers. Mullins Construction of Orion Township is donating its equipment to take down the heavy parts, and truck all parts to the Cranberry Lake site.
Volunteers will take off siding boards that are brittle with age, and save as much as possible. Inside the barn are wide, vertical boards, five-feet high, having the inscription, to be taken down. There is a small loft, and the floor is of wide planks. There is another barn on the property with similar planks and siding that the OTHS will save parts of to replace the broken boards.
Plans to rebuild are soon to be underway. OTHS has estimates for a foundation, and when that is completed they will rebuild with the help of Stier and volunteers during the summer. The barn will be used for park and OTHS activities, and display a collection of artifacts.
For more information, contact Carolyn Dulin at (248) 651-8715, or Mary Asmus at 814-9946. The OTHS has a website at www.oaklandtownshiphistorical society.org.
The Kern Nursery is located at 3700 W. Gunn and Kern Roads in Oakland Township.