Bard-Heim Barn, c. 1930-1990

     Yesterday when Larry Freshley brought over a copy of the “Heritage Barn Advisory Committee Report 2010” I could only think, “Too Late!  Too Late!  Too Late!”  I was remembering the Bard-Heim Dairy barn at the north end of Oysterville, gone for a good many years now.  It blew down due to neglect on the part of the property owners and has been lamented by the rest of us ever since.
     If only it had lasted a decade or two longer, it might have qualified for the matching grant program sponsored by the State of Washington Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation.  Since the program’s inception four years ago, more than 400 barns throughout our state have been recognized and placed on the Washington State Barn Register and many of their owners have obtained assistance with maintaining their barns and keeping them in a  functional condition.
     The booklet pictures each of the barns, noting its name and where it is located.  Three on the register are on farms in Pacific County:  Parpala Farm in Naselle; Sleepy Meadows Farm in Raymond; Ward Creek Farm in Raymond.
     The Parpala Farm was actually one of the thirty-one grant recipients.  Its barn was built in 1956 to be used for 60 milk cows and 200 ton of hay storage.  The barn measures 45 x 150 feet and needed the hay loft floor replaced, and the exterior siding repaired and repainted.  It was granted $18,283.
     I also found the booklet quite instructive.  For instance, twelve “Forms & Types” of barns were pictured:  Bow Truss Barn, Hip Barn, Gable-on-Hip Barn, Gable Barn, Broken Gable Barn, Salt Box Barn, Gothic Barn, Centric/Round Barn, Dutch Barn, English Gambrel Barn, Dutch Gambrel Barn, and Western Barn.  After studying each type, I concluded that Oysterville’s Bardheim Barn was the Gothic type.  Who knew?
     In the publication’s introductory letter, State Historic Preservation Officer Allyson Brooks wrote, “We are very proud to be one of a handful of states across the nation working diligently to recognize and preserve our state’s agricultural legacy.”  I’m proud, too!  What a great way to perpetuate and enhance our heritage – barn by barn by barn!
     Of course, who knows what will happen to this marvelous program now what with all the budget cuts going into effect?   Best case scenario:  it won’t be touched.  Worst case scenario: it will be put ‘on hold’ for a few years until the economic climate is more favorable.  Fortunately, almost everyone seems to love old barns so maybe, just maybe, the program has a chance of continuing… some day.