Plans are moving forward for the relocation of the historic Ellis Barn in Springfield Township.
Preservation of the barn is the topic of an ‘expo? from 9 a.m. to noon on Oct. 16 hosted by the Oakland County Historical Commission and cosponsored by the Springfield Township Historical Society, Oakland County 4-H Fair Association and Oakland County Parks.
The expo will include presentations on the relocation of the Ellis Barn to Springfield Oaks County Park as part of the Oakland County Equestrian Center.
Other topics include current barn inventory and photographic projects. The expo will include a tour of the Ellis barn.
The main speaker will be Jon Noyes, a landscape designer for the Oakland County Parks Design and Development department.
The Ellis barn on Dixie Highway was part of a 78-acre parcel previously owned by the Ellis family. Constructed in 1883, it is the only Michigan barn referenced in the nationally renowned book, ‘The American Barn.? Its features include an indoor riding arena, 11 box stalls, tack rooms, an office, exercise room and mechanical exercise ring.
With support from a Michigan Department of Transportation grant, funds from the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission and private donations, the Ellis barn is planned to be moved this winter.
Springfield Oaks County Park is located at 12451 Andersonville Road. For a map, visit www.co.oakland.mi.us/parksrec.
For more information on the Ellis barn project contact Stencil at (248) 858-4944. To RSVP for the expo and barn tour, call (248) 634-7899.