Photo Courtesy of Kalona Historical Village Social Media

Maybe you have heard of raising a barn? Or moving from a house? But how about moving a barn? That’s the objective for the Kalona Historical Society this week as they look to add to their collection of historical artifacts by relocating a prized possession from one part of Washington County to another.

The remaining standing barn on the former Wulf Farm property on G-36 between Washington and Highway 218 will be moved to the Kalona Historical Village on Highway 22, a nearly 15 mile trek down rural roads. Kalona Historical Village Director Nancy Roth talked with KCII news about the barn.

Roth said, “A lot of people want to know why a barn, why this barn, what are you going to do with it? We have a lot of plans. This barn, because it is definitely majestic, looks a little rough around the edges on the outside right now, but its in really good shape on the inside. When this came around it was just perfect because that is one thing that we don’t talk about here at the Historical Village, is farming and agriculture, and so this barn is a part of our mission statement, preserving the history of Kalona and the surrounding area, it’s within our county. It may take us a few years for exhibits, we will definitely be doing more fundraising. But we want to tell stories, that’s the big key.”

Relocation will begin Tuesday, February 25th at 9a.m. With Goodwin House Moving transporting the structure, intact, along Spruce Avenue, 210th Street, Redwood Avenue, 190th Street, Highway 1 and 170th street. The move will be completed on Wednesday, February 26th, traveling along 170th Street, Highway 1, 150th Street, 140th Street and River Bridge.

The project was made possible by a $300,000 emergency grant from the Washington County Riverboat Foundation last July. Work was done in the fall to prepare the barn’s new home in Kalona, including pouring a concrete pad on the west side of the grounds. The barn will be restored and become a museum paying homage to the area’s agricultural history, with a timetable for the attraction to be ready for patrons at the 2025 Fall Festival the last week of September.