Barns of Bedford - Landmarks of Our Agricultural Heritage
A 1998 architectural and archaeological survey stated "Bedford County contains some of the finest historic rural architecture in Virginia, ranging from small log dwellings and (agricultural) outbuildings to impressive plantation seats..." Since that time, several rural historic initiatives have taken place in Bedford, but none of these has specifically addressed barns and other agricultural structures, many of which are in fragile condition.
Recognizing the historic value of a myriad of Bedford's barns and agricultural structures, and their potential impact on the area's agricultural industry, the Bedford Historical Society and the Bedford County Farm Bureau today announced the inauguration of "Barns of Bedford - Landmarks of Our Agricultural Heritage", a multi-faceted project to document and promote awareness, appreciation, and preservation of these significant, unique, and too often disappearing resources.
The announcement was made during the Historical Society's Annual Meeting which featured an illustrated lecture by John Michael Vlach, entitled "Cultural Sign Posts: The Importance of Barns", tracing the regional identities and ethnic origins revealed in barn designs across the United States. Professor Vlach, of George Washington University, has pursued a career of scholarly research in both university and museum settings. His wide-ranging interests include American folk culture, vernacular architecture, traditional arts and crafts, and the peoples of the African Diaspora. He is the author of Barns, winner of the 2003 Kniffen Prize for Best Book on North American Material Culture. He also serves of the Historic Preservation Review Board for the District of Columbia.
The broad goals of the "Barns of Bedford" program are: to plan and organize a multi-faceted barns project; conduct a comprehensive survey to document barns and agricultural outbuildings and share the results through various media; to promote awareness, appreciation, and preservation of agricultural resources; and to promote the importance, influence, and economic impact of agriculture in Bedford.
Activities to date include: establishing a steering committee to organize and implement the barns program; researching barn programs in other states; researching funding opportunities; developing barn survey procedures; and developing a network of partners, supporting organizations, and advisors. Organizations endorsing the "Barns of Bedford" project thus far include Bedford County Agricultural Economic Development Advisory Committee, Bedford County Planning Department, City of Bedford Department of Planning and Community Development, Bedford Area Tourism/Welcome Center, Bedford Museum and Genealogical Library, Bedford County Department of Parks & Recreation, The Corporation for Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest, Bedford Citizens for Land Preservation, Bedford Cooperative Extension, Bedford County 4-H and FFA, Virginia Department of Historic Resources, and the National Barn Alliance. The Historical Society and Farm Bureau wish to thank Mary Zirkle, Chief of Planning for Bedford County for her invaluable assistance.
Future projects of the "Barns of Bedford" program will include conducting a comprehensive survey of barns and agricultural buildings and seeking possible designations on the National Register of Historic Places; encouraging student involvement in the survey; sharing the survey results through website, newsletter, media reports, printed materials, and the Bedford Welcome Center; developing projects to educate the public about agriculture in Bedford, such as barn driving tours and other agri-tourism events; developing annual events such as a barn art and photography show, barn awards program, and contests for students; offering workshops on rehabilitation, restoration, preservation tax credits, funding sources, adaptive re-use and providing technical assistance to barn owners; participating in activities of the National Barn Alliance and the National Trust for Historic Preservation's "Barn Again!" programs; supporting Bedford County's "Red Barn" project; and developing additional projects to celebrate Bedford's agricultural heritage and promote the economic impact of agriculture in the area.
Individuals or groups interested in participating should contact the Bedford Historical Society, P.O. Box 602, Bedford, VA 24523 or the Bedford County Farm Bureau, 803 Blue Ridge Avenue, Bedford, VA 24523. Please identify any correspondence Barns of Bedford. For more information call 434-384-6566.
Bedford Historical Society, Inc., P.O. Box 602, Bedford, Virginia 24523
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