In the last couple of decades, focus has shifted from
razing barns and farm buildings to restoring them. Many of these buildings
have been in families for generations. There are television shows and
organizations, and now web sites, that focus entirely on saving barns and
farm buildings.
Most of these buildings are timber frame and were
built between the mid 1880s to 1920," says Denny Bender, owner of
Bender Builders. "Their lifespan is about 100 years, so when we go in
and restore these buildings, we are giving
them another 100 years of life. When I restore a timber-frame
structure, I am putting my reputation in it for the life of the building
which could span another four generations."
Not only do timber-frame structures outlive newer
constructed buildings, they also hold years of memories--long hot summer
days mowing hay and cold winter nights--years of hard work that can't be replaced. When Bender saves your barns and farms building,
they are also saving your family heritage.
