Barn Preservation

A living family tradition: Maple Syrup Days

The barn is part of the setting for Maple Syrup Days, when family and friends gather at Winger Farm to boil sap over an open fire, share food and tell stories. Preserving the farmstead also means keeping a place for these traditions and memories.

See Maple Syrup Days stories and photos on WingerBLOG, and visit our Home page for a photo gallery from April 10, 2021.

A barn within a historic farmstead

The original timber-frame barn is part of Winger Farm, a family-owned farmstead near Mansfield, Ohio, with roots dating to approximately 1825. The barn belongs to a larger story that includes the handmade brick farmhouse, springhouse, smokehouse, family cemetery and surrounding land.

What we are evaluating

Our goal is to preserve the historic homestead while choosing a practical, sustainable plan for its care. Structural repairs and roof work are among the needs identified in earlier planning. The final repair scope has not yet been selected.

Project update — October 1, 2026

Restoration specialist Raymond Friend toured the barn and provided a $170,000 quote for traditional restoration using period-appropriate materials and techniques.

Melvin Yoder has also toured the barn and discussed a practical repair approach using modern dimensional lumber. His estimates are pending. We will compare the scope, historic character, cost and long-term maintenance of these approaches before deciding.

Documentation and next steps

Harrison’s Barn Booklet, prepared for a college architecture project, documents the barn and is an important reference for our planning. We are gathering contractor estimates and exploring preservation advice and fundraising arrangements. We will share dated updates as decisions are made.

How you can help

Historical photographs, family stories, preservation expertise and offers of help are welcome. Contact FarmContactUs@wingermail.com to discuss the project. The farm remains privately owned, and visits must be arranged in advance.

A dedicated barn fundraising arrangement is being explored. No nonprofit sponsorship or tax-deductible donation arrangement has been established. Any existing personal contribution option should not be treated as a charitable tax deduction.