The Plan - Use of The Star Barn and its Ancillary Buildings

Agrarian Country is committed to preserving the historical architecture of The Star Barn and its ancillary buildings. The Star Barn will be used as an Agricultural Education and Exhibition Center, promoting agricultural awareness and providing agricultural business seminars and career exploration programs. Additional plans for use of The Star Barn complex include housing The Star Barn Rural Art Gallery and Museum. The center will also be used for seasonal festivals, agricultural-related shows, auctions, dinners, concerts, theater productions, and other community events.

The Plan - Where and When

Feasibility studies were conducted about the use of The Star Barn at its present location. Due to its limited acreage, location near Interstate-283, and proximity near a residential community, it was determined that the current site would not be feasible for carrying out activities planned for The Star Barn. Therefore, Agrarian Country plans for The Barn Saver to dismantle the barn and its ancillary buildings and prepare it for its new location near Grantville, Pennsylvania.

Following is the procedure for relocating The Star Barn and its ancillary buildings:

• A professional architect will prepare architectural drawings, identifying each part and labeling each log and beam.
• The Star Barn and its ancillary buildings will be carefully dismantled and transported to the new site. The stone foundation, limestone walls, windows, doors, and silo will also be dismantled and transported to the new site. The cupolas will be removed intact and restored in preparation for transport. The giant stars and louvered windows will be braced and moved in one piece.
• When the barn arrives at its new site, it will be rebuilt on a new foundation, faced with the original stone, and reassembled as it was built in 1872.
• Planning is underway for a barn raising festival. The Timber Framers Guild will reassemble and raise the barn using techniques that were utilized in the 1870's. This includes the use of draft horses, mules, oxen, and period tools. A music festival, Civil War reenactment, and foods festival is also planned to coincide with the barn raising.

The New Home for The Star Barn at Agrarian Country

The new home for The Star Barn at Agrarian Country is in Grantville, Pennsylvania, East Hanover Township, Lebanon County. Click here to see a location map of the new site. The schedule for the disassembly and re-raising of The Star Barn and its ancillary buildings will be announced later. See the News and Events page for updates.