The Swiss Community Historical Society (SCHS) is reconfiguring the bank barn at the Schumacher Homestead to reflect the original location of entrances to the upper floor.

The doors will be painted but their design and materials can be best appreciated in the current state.

The new barn doors create a 14’x12’ opening on the eastern gable end. They are made of native poplar with white oak battens. The strap hinges were fabricated by Steve Burkholder of Elevator Service in Beaverdam. The renovation work at the barn including extensive beam repair has been done by Jeff Althaus, Seth Bixel, Dan Diller, Ron Graham, Tony Ruler and Shev Shekochikhin.

Work on creating the earthen bank is expected to begin in March 2022.

The 1854 barn is one of the earliest large barns in the area. Originally, hay wagons would have been driven in one end, the hay thrown into the mows on the sides, and then the wagons driven out the other end. Note: the historical society’s property can’t accommodate the recreation of a bank on the west end of the barn. 

In the 1880s, the barn was modernized to allow for a hay trolley. Horses now could be driven in from the south end, turned inside the barn, and driven out the same doorway.

The Schumacher Homestead is located at 8350 Bixel Rd. and includes an 1843 farmhouse, summer kitchen, workshop, kitchen garden, and other outbuildings. The historical site is supported by society memberships and donations.

For more information, visit www.swisshistorical.com.