Ohio barn tour and conference set for April

Friends of Ohio Barns invites the public to attend the 25th annual barn tour and conference Thursday, April 23 through Saturday, April 25 in Washington County.

The event will begin Thursday afternoon with an exclusive tour of the Campus Martius Museum, a civilian stockade built in 1788 in Marietta as the first organized American settlement in the Northwest Territory. It also will include a trolley ride and a walking tour of the Mound Cemetery, a historic burial ground established in 1801 around the prehistoric Adena “Great Mound” to preserve it.

On Friday participants will have an opportunity to look inside five of the most notable historic timber-framed barns throughout Washington County. The chartered buses will have a docent on board to highlight points of interest and local history during the tour.

Saturday’s all-day conference includes speakers, Barn of the Year awards, introductions and awards to the barn grant recipients, a brief member meeting, a silent auction, breakfast and lunch, the Barn Detectives’ report and more.

Register early to save $20 through March 15. Starting March 16, regular conference prices continue through the April 22 deadline. Space is limited for the Thursday afternoon event and Friday’s bus tour. Register at www.friendsofohiobarns.org/annual-conference.

Bring items such as books, small antiques and more (no clothing) to Saturday’s conference to donate to the silent auction. Proceeds help defray conference costs.

Friends of Ohio Barns is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership-based organization created to promote awareness of the significance of Ohio’s historic barns through educational opportunities that bring together barn owners, barn enthusiasts and those who support the stewardship of Ohio’s historic barns.

For more information visit www.friendsofohiobarns.org/annual-conference or email friendsofohiobarns@gmail.com.