A recently restored historic bicentennial barn in Maple City received the 2026 Michigan Barn of the Year award this month.
The Michigan Barn Preservation Network (MBPN), a nonprofit with a focus on the rehabilitation of traditional barns in the state, informed owners’ Scott and Tamara Stone on March 1 about the news. The barn of the year award is the Michigan Barn Preservation Network’s top award for honoring barns and their owners that best exemplify their mission of preserving iconic structures and the state’s rich agriculture past. A panel of nine judges selected the Maple City barn from a total of nine entries to be one of the select few to receive the distinction this year.
Scott said he joined the MBPN shortly after they acquired the property in October 2024 as it served as a good resource for older barns. He put together and submitted the application in January, including a comprehensive narrative and background of the barn’s story, its construction and style, and photos of what it looked like before and after restoration efforts.
