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Barns of Minnesota
Minnesota's barns are remarkable testaments to a midwestern way of life, one centered on the land, work, family, ingenuity, and perseverance. Many think of barns as breathtaking landmarks along the byways. Others have their favorite barns--the well-kept, red dairy barn near St. Cloud, the faded horse barn on the way to Faribault. Still others know these structures more intimately: barns are as integral to their lives as family and home. In Barns of Minnesota, photographer Doug Ohman showcases the vast array of these exceptional landmarks, built by hand in wood, stone, brick, or metal and dating back as far as 1880. Where Ohman's photographs capture the beauty of the barn from the outside in, Will Weaver's evocative story illuminates the life of the barn from the inside out. Readers witness the making and breaking of one barn as it plays into the life and sustenance of several generations of one family who settled the land in 1922 and who farmed into the age of agribusiness. Seventy-five stunning color photographs accompanied by Weaver's moving story uplift these beautiful buildings and a way of life on the land that is as strong and proud, as fragile and humble, as the barns among us.
- GenresHistory
128 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 2, 2022
It was difficult to categorize this book with all of my pre-determined bookshelves on Goodreads because this book does not seem to fit any ordinary categories. It's nonfiction in one sense with all the pictures and captions describing where the barns are located and when they were built. I absolutely love barns and was both happy and sad while looking at the pictures because of the great condition of the remodeled barns but then the dilapidated conditions of the ones falling down. On the other hand, this is fiction because of Will Weaver's story. Weaver's story surprised me. I went into this book expecting a relaxing read before bed with a cozy story of barn life. However, Weaver describes the entire history of barns from the golden years to their demise. I became attached to the family and felt their heartbreak as farm life is rewarding but very challenging to maintain into the 21st century.
I like how this focuses on specifically Minnesota and the author is a well-known Minnesota author. I enjoyed learning about the history of Minnesota and appreciated how Doug Ohman wants to feature some of our local talent. After borrowing this book from the library, I would like to purchase it myself as reference. There are other books in this Minnesota Byways series such as churches, cabins, and schoolhouses of Minnesota. I am curious if these books follow a similar format and would like to read these too.
Here are some of my favorite quotes where the authors describe the importance of barns and farm life:
"Our old wooden barns-midwestern ones in particular-are falling. The first were built in the 1880s, and few were raised after the 1940s. Like veterans of a great campaign, their work is done, their time has passed" (7).
"...they are as obsolete as steamships, as coal-fired locomotives" (7).
"Old barns are like gravestones: we admire their design, their strength in the face of wind and rain and time, but we are left to wonder about the people whose lives they represent" (7).
"Together, Doug and I hope that this book gives new voice to our old barns. For if we all pause, look, and listen, they have stories to tell" (7).
"A barn will build a house" (119).
"...only 3 percent of America's population now grows up on a working farm-as opposed to nearly 70 percent in 1900" (126).
"...barns gradually became objects of nostalgia, symbols of 'better' times when people lived closer to God and to the land" (126).
"Every barn has a story and that story is about hard work, pride, success, failure, and sometimes tragedy" (128).
(Okay, I guess I listed more than just a few quotes, but I really did enjoy this book!)
I like how this focuses on specifically Minnesota and the author is a well-known Minnesota author. I enjoyed learning about the history of Minnesota and appreciated how Doug Ohman wants to feature some of our local talent. After borrowing this book from the library, I would like to purchase it myself as reference. There are other books in this Minnesota Byways series such as churches, cabins, and schoolhouses of Minnesota. I am curious if these books follow a similar format and would like to read these too.
Here are some of my favorite quotes where the authors describe the importance of barns and farm life:
"Our old wooden barns-midwestern ones in particular-are falling. The first were built in the 1880s, and few were raised after the 1940s. Like veterans of a great campaign, their work is done, their time has passed" (7).
"...they are as obsolete as steamships, as coal-fired locomotives" (7).
"Old barns are like gravestones: we admire their design, their strength in the face of wind and rain and time, but we are left to wonder about the people whose lives they represent" (7).
"Together, Doug and I hope that this book gives new voice to our old barns. For if we all pause, look, and listen, they have stories to tell" (7).
"A barn will build a house" (119).
"...only 3 percent of America's population now grows up on a working farm-as opposed to nearly 70 percent in 1900" (126).
"...barns gradually became objects of nostalgia, symbols of 'better' times when people lived closer to God and to the land" (126).
"Every barn has a story and that story is about hard work, pride, success, failure, and sometimes tragedy" (128).
(Okay, I guess I listed more than just a few quotes, but I really did enjoy this book!)
October 4, 2020
The pictures are the best part. I love the pink barn, and the horse stalls with slices of tree trunks for 'cobbled' floors, and the barns that are in ruins and the ones still in use.... I will look for more by the photographer.
The story is fine. Some cliches straight out of pioneer fiction like the quiet, competent, "Indians" and the abusive French drunkard. But it's told through the perspective of "Emmet" so I'll forgive his naivety... he is a good man, even though imperfect.
Notes from both creators included.
Probably worth more stars to the right audience. I remember our unused haymow in the upper barn, and the silo that looked like Rapunzel's tower but that we were forbidden to play in, and the lower barn that had depths unplumbed of old equipment... but I never paid attention to how it all worked or to others' barns. This is for those who actually are carpenters, or who remember actually using their family barn.
The story is fine. Some cliches straight out of pioneer fiction like the quiet, competent, "Indians" and the abusive French drunkard. But it's told through the perspective of "Emmet" so I'll forgive his naivety... he is a good man, even though imperfect.
Notes from both creators included.
Probably worth more stars to the right audience. I remember our unused haymow in the upper barn, and the silo that looked like Rapunzel's tower but that we were forbidden to play in, and the lower barn that had depths unplumbed of old equipment... but I never paid attention to how it all worked or to others' barns. This is for those who actually are carpenters, or who remember actually using their family barn.
November 9, 2017
The first in photographer Doug Ohman's Minnesota Byways series capturing historic buildings of Minnesota, this is a collection of photos of barns in Minnesota accompanied by the story of a fictional dairy farming family and their barn written by Minnesota author, Will Weaver.
This is a lovely collection of photos that bring you back to Minnesota's past. I like how the story of the fictional Anderson family is used to tell the history of barns in Minnesota and the changes in farming over time. Although, the story did get surprisingly dark at times. A nice look into the past.
This is a lovely collection of photos that bring you back to Minnesota's past. I like how the story of the fictional Anderson family is used to tell the history of barns in Minnesota and the changes in farming over time. Although, the story did get surprisingly dark at times. A nice look into the past.
November 7, 2010
Incredible photography, and sweet and simple story. Definitely a great read for people from Minnesota, Wisconsin or those growing up on or experiencing a farm at any time in their life.
June 3, 2025
The photography is great but the narrative is even better.
February 16, 2010
A good book about the history of old barns in rural Minnesota shown through wonderful pictures along with a fictional narrative about a rural family and their life on a dairy farm.
October 16, 2020
Story a little cliched, but fine. Photographs wonderful. Educational aspect fascinating. Recommended if you're interested.
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July 2, 2025Weaver wrote a fiction story to go along with photos of barns in the book. Neat story of one family and one barn.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews