Schumacher Barn

This barn and the farmhouse are the only two buildings that remain from the original Schumacher farmstead of the early 1900s. In 1908, Henry Schumacher married Eveline Busby and built a house for her, after which he had this barn built. The barn was finished in 1909.

A barn was one of the most important buildings on the farm, and often it was the first building to go up on a new farmstead. The barn sheltered the cows and horses that were the backbone of the farm, and hay for the animals was stored in the mow on the second floor. Henry Schumacher hired a local carpenter named Henry Adler to build the barn, and the lumber for the barn was purchased from Koltes and Riphahn’s store in Waunakee. Schumacher’s neighbors provided labor during the barn raising. The total cost of construction was $1,200. The Schumachers painted the barn red, which was a longstanding tradition when farmers would treat their barns with a mixture of linseed oil and ferrous oxide, or rust, to protect the wood and discourage mold growth.

Several updates have been made to this barn, including adding a cement floor and electricity to the building. Sliding doors were also added and the original window and frame were restored. This barn is available to rent in the summer months. The first floor is commonly used as exhibition space and for performances during a variety of events like the annual Heritage Fest and Music Fest celebrations.