Cobblestone Barn May Be Rebuilt

Cobblestone barn may be rebuilt

By CHARLES CHILD
NEWS STAFF REPORTER

Cobblestone Farm, part of Ann Ar6or's past since 1844, will have a brighter future if the city’s improvement plans are realized.

The city’s Department of Parks and Recreation proposed building a barn, fences, trails and other improvements on the farm property at Tuesday’s Parks Advisory Commission.

The barn, a recreation of the farm’s original barn, would include an old-fashioned country store in the basement and a main floor for folk dancing and large meetings such as wedding receptions.

It would also house bathrooms for use by softball players and spectators at Buhr Park, which surrounds the property off Packard Road.

The new building would allow more activities at the farm, such as craft classes and demonstrations, tours and special events, said Steven K. Messerli, manager of special facilities for the department.

The improvements will cost some $400,000, which the department expects to raise from these sources:

• City park millage, $200,000.

• Federal land and water conservation funds, $75,000.

• A grant from the Kresge Foundation, $85,000.

• Funds raised by the Cobblestone Farm Association and private businesses, $40,000.

The city plans to starting building the 40-by-70 foot barn in July 1985, if the grant applications proceed as expected, said Messerli.

Built in 1844, Cobblestone Farm was a working farm for much of its history. In 1973, the city purchased the property, and the Cobblestone Farm Association, a volunteer group, began restoring the rundown property.

The association’s goal: to build a living farm depicting pioneer life in the 1860s and an educational center for arts and crafts.

Events at the farms have increased each year. Last year, the association held these special events: a quilt show, harvest festival, century of fashion show, spring fashion show, fall festival and country Christmas.

In 1983, the city hired a half-time supervisor, Emilie Polens, to coordinate classes, programs and events.

With the bam and subsequent increases in activities, the city expects the farms’ budget to be $62,000 in 1985-86, up from this year’s estimated $19,250.

The city’s subsidy of the farm is projected to rise from $12,600 this year to $40,000 in 1985-86.

Besides the bam, the expansion project includes fencing, trails, utility connections and various improvements to the horse bam, other out-buildings and the main farm building itself.