An affordable getaway

Duncombe barn included on all-state tour

The members of the Iowa Barn Foundation (IBF) aren't given to flights of fancy, but they're immodestly calling this fall's 26th annual statewide barn tour, "the world's largest."

The tour showcases restored, historic barns across Iowa, including the 105-year-old barn near Duncombe owned by Matt and Libby Mitchell.

The tour will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. There is no charge to visit any of the barns.

IBFs' spring barn tours focus on a single county, but all-state tours, held each September, feature barns across the state.

Seeing Iowa's historic barns and meeting their owners will cost less than going to a ball game or museum in Chicago, Minneapolis or Kansas City.

IBF's glossy twice-a-year magazine is included in the $50 annual membership fee. Technically there are no memberships, only donations. That word, donation, has much to say about IBF itself.

IBF's Dave Austin, a professional photographer, who edits the magazine, said, "Iowa Barn Foundation is 100 percent funded by private donations. We don't receive any government agency funding grants. Since the barns Iowa Barn Foundation gives restoration grants to are on private property, they are not eligible for most public grants."

He continued, "As a volunteer-led nonprofit, we have no employees, buildings, or vehicles.

This keeps expenses low so we can maximize funds towards restoration grants. Since 1997, we have given out $2.6 million in barn restoration grants to save over 300 barns."

By hosting free barn tours twice a year, IBF reaches people who appreciate the hard work that restoring a 100-year old barn entails.

Here are a few highlights of this fall's tour.

In northeast Iowa, several unusual barns in or near West Union in Fayette County, are on this

fall's tour. A good place to start is the Fayette County Fair Rabbit and Poultry Barn at 504 S. Vine St., West Union. Built in 1921 as a show barn for cattle, it has 16 clay-tile sides. It's a recipient of IBF's Award of Distinction, meaning it's at least 50 years old, and has been restored with materials similar to those used in its original construction.

In the early 1900s, Iowa had almost 200,000 barns. Of those, only about 250 were octagonal (eight-sided) in shape, among the rarest of barns. A notable specimen of this type is the Roberts Barn at 4715 Kansas Ave. S.W., Iowa City. Built in 1883, it's also an IBF Award of Distinction winner, and is located on a Heritage Farm, one that's been in the same family for 150 or more years.

Barn fans will find the hand-hewn beams and limestone foundation especially interesting.

Closer to home, drive over to Duncombe to see the Mitchell Barn, 2723 255th St. In many ways, this barn's restoration exemplifies IBF's mission. Slated to be torn down by its owner on a

nearby farm, the Mitchells bought the 105-year-old barn and moved it two miles to

their place, where it was restored by a group of friends, family and volunteers. An IBF

grant helped pay some of the expense. Not just an attractive relic, the old barn has a bright

future as a home for the Mitchell's livestock.