By Kaye Phillips
Swiss Community Historical Society member

Spring brings back thoughts of playing in my grandparent’s barn. We lived beside my grandparents, so I had full access to explore daily. Kittens in the hay mow. Rabbits in the pens. Two steers that loved to be fed sugar cubes. Across the way were the sows and piglets. There was also a brooder house for chicks. The chicken coop was close to the barn and full of activity. Endless hours were spent enjoying the small farm.

The Swiss Community Historical Society is now in the process of moving, restoring and rebuilding the Basinger barn that was once owned by Franklin and Marcella Burry Basinger. Two of their grandchildren gave have provided these memories of the Basinger barn.

Lori Hosler writes, “I can’t wait to walk through the barn I played in as a kid."

"My grandpa told me about making ice cream in the barn with his brother. When they opened the lid, a mouse fell in. They didn’t tell anyone and he said it was the best ice cream ever!”

Cindy Ropp writes, “I am also a granddaughter of Marcella and Frank. That barn was the stuff of legends as a place to play. Hours upon hours. Climbing in the hayloft.

"All the equipment we would climb onto. Hide and seek was great there. We also played 'slips' which is one person hiding and everyone searching. When you found the hider, you just hid there together until the last searcher found you all together. Barn cats—lots of them. And watching the hogs down below. It was a lovely place. It really allowed us to adventure and create and share treasured space with beloved cousins.”

Have memories of creative play or even productive work in the Basinger barn or other barns of your childhood? You can share them at the SCHS Facebook page.