As America prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary as a nation, the historic Bicentennial Barn in Maple City is getting ready to host its own special celebration this July.
On July 5 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the owners of the bicentennial barn, Scott and Tamara Stone, will host an official rededication of the barn as they continue honoring America’s 250th. Earlier this year, the barn reached a few of its own milestones, including being named 2026 Barn of the Year by the Michigan Barn Preservation Network and the completion of its restoration.
Scott said they wanted to hold an event similar to a community open house to allow for people to stop by, take pictures, and learn more about the history of the barn and its murals.
“It’s really just to celebrate the meaning behind the signing of the Declaration of Independence 250 years ago, so it just fits together,” Scott said. “Especially on the east side of the barn with the art of George Washington, the pied pipers, and the flag — it’s a celebration of the semiquincentennial.”
The bicentennial barn, estimated to have been originally built between 1915-1920 by the Shalda family, is the third barn located on the property dating back to 1893.
The history of the barn and its significance today goes back decades. Prior to the U.S bicentennial in 1976, there was a project initiated by the Leelanau County Bicentennial Commission to locate a barn in the county and to paint it with patriotic murals to commemorate the country’s 200th anniversary. The barn was selected at the time for the project out of a list of other barns in the county that were also considered.
In 2005, the barn was repainted once again with different art due to wear and tear from weather and time over the years. On the east side of the barn, a patriotic scene celebrating the nation’s independence was painted, while the west side features a tribute to Leelanau County.
The repainting of these murals and renovations to the barn were completed ahead of the 250th anniversary in celebration of the milestone year. More than 260 volunteer hours were spent on the barn’s restoration this past summer and more than a dozen volunteers helped repaint the mural art on either side of the barn.
The bicentennial barn is located at 1042 W. Harbor Hwy. in Maple City. Parking will be available in the front yard between the barn and Heritage Trail. To learn more, go online to https://leelanau1776barn.org.
