For those passionate about Indiana’s rich agricultural heritage—especially if you own a historic barn or appreciate the legacy of Hoosier farming—the Indiana Barn Foundation is hosting its annual barn tour in LaGrange County on Saturday, September 13, 2025.

This self-guided driving tour offers a unique opportunity to see firsthand the enduring beauty of Indiana’s historic post-and-beam barns—once numbering over 30,000 across the state and now disappearing at an alarming rate. Tickets for the tour will go on sale later this summer, so be sure to watch for updates if you’re interested in exploring these iconic structures up close.

Indiana’s historic barns are much more than simple agricultural buildings; they are symbols of the ingenuity, perseverance, and craftsmanship of generations of Hoosier farmers. In 2013, preservation advocates led by Mauri Williamson—a Purdue administrator deeply moved by the legacy of Indiana’s rural communities—came together to launch the Indiana Barn Foundation. Since its inception, the organization has been dedicated to protecting these irreplaceable landmarks through educational programs, workshops, and funding initiatives.

During the LaGrange County barn tour, participants will have the chance to drive along scenic routes to view beautifully restored barns, appreciate traditional construction techniques, and learn about the rich history and cultural significance of these structures from local historians and veteran farmers. The event is designed to answer a question many people have: “Where can I see these beautiful barns up close?”

In addition to the tour, the Indiana Barn Foundation offers valuable financial support for barn preservation through its Barn Preservation Grant Fund. Applications for 2025 are now being accepted, and this matching-grant program is designed to help barn owners repair and maintain their historic structures. Under the program, up to $2,500 per project is available from IBF funds, and recipients are required to match that amount—whether through cash contributions, additional grants, loans, or in-kind contributions such as donated labor. With this matching support, each project could potentially secure $5,000 or more in total funding. Applications are evaluated based on established criteria, and the IBF Board of Directors will select two projects annually. Approved projects must be completed within one year of receiving the grant.

Barn owners can also take advantage of another important incentive: the Indiana Heritage Barn Tax Deduction. This tax deduction encourages the maintenance and rehabilitation of historic barns by reducing the property tax burden. To qualify, a barn must have been constructed before 1950, retain sufficient historical integrity in its design, materials, and construction, and be built as a mortise and tenon barn—employing traditional heavy wooden timbers joined with wood-pegged joinery. Barn owners should contact their County Assessor’s office to determine if their barn qualifies as a “heritage barn.” Once eligibility is confirmed, they must complete State Form 55706 (R/6-16) and have it processed by the County Auditor. Applications must be submitted by December 31 of the year for which the deduction is sought, with a postmark on or before January 5 of the following year.

There are even more barn-related activities planned. On Friday, September 12, before the official barn tour begins at 10:00 AM on Saturday, you can participate in additional events such as a "Make Your Own Barn Quilt" class and tours of an historic Polygonal Brown Swiss Dairy Barn and the Stutzman Dairy Farm. Tickets for these activities will be available for pre-purchase or on site. Overnight lodging is available in Shipshewana, and evening live concerts are planned at the Blue Gate Performing Arts Center, adding a festive atmosphere to a day of barn appreciation.

Another annual event to keep on your radar is the Indiana Barn Foundation’s Forum and Annual Meeting, scheduled for July in Hamilton County (the exact date is pending between the 12th and 19th). This event is open to all interested parties and features speakers on a range of topics relevant to barn owners and enthusiasts—from preservation techniques and funding strategies to innovative approaches to sustainable agriculture.

For more information on the LaGrange County Barn Tour in the heart of Indiana Amish Country, contact the Shipshewana/LaGrange County Visitors Center at 260.760.4008 or visit www.VisitShipshewana.org for a free travel guide and trip planning assistance.

If you own a historic barn or are passionate about the preservation of Indiana’s agricultural heritage, these events and programs from the Indiana Barn Foundation provide invaluable opportunities to learn, connect, and contribute to the future of Hoosier farming. For more information on event registration, grant applications, and the Heritage Barn Tax Deduction, please visit the Indiana Barn Foundation’s website or contact their event coordinator.

For more information on event registration, grant applications, and the Heritage Barn Tax Deduction, please visit the Indiana Barn Foundation’s website or contact their event coordinator.