The correct date when the barn was building is not known but it is estimated in the 1920s by Andreas Mettler, who raised and sold registered Hereford cattle. Farm was lost in the 1930s and an insurance company became the owner. This company offered to sell his farm to Andreas son Gideon Mettler. The payment would be whatever Gideon could afford to pay each year and this is how Gideon was able to purchase back his father’s homestead. Gideon sold it to Calvin & Carol Mettler who in return sold it to the Menno Pioneer Heritage Association in 1995. When the association first walked into the barn in the east door, you needed to duck because the manure was so deep you would hit your head on the rafters. There were pens on both sides of the barn and the door on the south side is original, but you had to walk “down” to the door. The southwest corner was off the foundation and the whole building was leaning to the south. The building was gutted and a stair case was built where the grain bin had been (besides the kitchen). The manger on the north side of the building is original. The loft had lots of hay in it and the floor in the south west corner (by the window, which is original) was basically gone, there was a large hole in the roof as well and it all needed to be rebuilt. The second stair case was built in the large hay door on the east side was restored. The door on the north side is original, only they cut it bigger for easier access and added a ramp.

Facts

80 gallons of paint o the barn (some places have much as 6 coats of paint).

19 gallons of paint thinner.

35 yards of cement.

75 pounds of nails.

65 tubes of caulk.

75 sheets of 4x8 plywood for the loft floor.

5 gallons of varnish to give it one coat on the on the loft floor.

More volunteer labor than you can imagine

Kitchen was added and is now used for power show and other gatherings.