Purposes of the Barn and Farmstead Survey

*Identify and document rural buildings and farmsteads that contributed significantly to the unique character of a community or illustrate its agricultural development.

*Heighten awareness of the rapid decline of traditional farm buildings as a first step toward the development of a preservation plan.

*Help participants and others in the community gain a greater appreciation for the value of agricultural structures and the heritage they represent.

*Create a standard nomenclature that describes and classifies historic vernacular agricultural structures.

*Put into use a method of field documentation for agricultural vernacular structures that can be replicated throughout Michigan.

*Establish a database of information about Michigan agricultural buildings.

Michigan Barn and Farmstead Survey Manual

Steve Stier

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