Visit our Exhibit at the January, 2009 Pennsylvania Farm Show

Agrarian Country, Pennsylvania’s future premier showcase for agriculture and owner of the 1872 historic Star Barn complex, is pleased to announce that it will be sharing an exhibit with award-winning model builder, Terry Spahr, at the January, 2009 Pennsylvania Farm Show. In 2005, Terry completed a detailed 1:12-scale replica of the historic 1872 Star Barn. In November, 2008, Terry completed 1:12-scale replicas of The Star Barn’s outbuildings; namely, the corn crib, poultry barn, and hog barn. One example of the painstaking detail showcased in these replicas is the 15,000 individual roof shingles built on The Star Barn model. Terry first exhibited The Star Barn complex replicas in Dyersville, Iowa at the November, 2008, National Toy Show where he won second place in competition. Following is a photograph of the replicas of The Star Barn complex.

You will not want to miss seeing these spectacular Star Barn complex replicas – their first showing in Pennsylvania and a great photo opportunity. You will also have opportunity to learn about Agrarian Country and its plans for The Star Barn complex.

The Farm Show begins on Saturday, January 10 and will continue through Saturday, January 17, 2009. Our exhibit is located in the Farm Show Expo Hall (adjacent to the Food Court) in Booth 115. For more information about the 2009 Pennsylvania Farm Show, click here.

December 22, 2008: East Hanover Township Board of Supervisors Approve Zoning Amendment, as Requested by Agrarian Country

On Monday, December 22, 2008, the East Hanover Township (Lebanon County) Board of Supervisors amended the township’s zoning ordinance to allow agri-tourism in agricultural zones. This official act by the supervisors will permit Agrarian Country to move forward with its plans to relocate the 1872 historic Star Barn complex to Lebanon County and renovate it for use as an Agricultural Education and Exposition Center.

July 1, 2008: Historic Star Barn to be moved to new Lebanon County Site

The historic Star Barn will soon have a new home in central Pennsylvania, just a short drive off the Interstate-81 Grantville exit where many passing motorists may still be able to see it at its new location.

The Star Barn will be the center attraction for Agrarian Country, a new agriculturally-themed destination conceived and planned by Dr. Robert S. Barr, President.

Barr announced in December, 2007 that Agrarian Country purchased the historic Star Barn now located in a land-locked site in Lower Swatara Township, Dauphin County, from Preservation Pennsylvania, the non-profit group that helped preserve the landmark barn for many years.

Barr is now announcing that he found a new home for The Star Barn - a 300+-acre site in East Hanover Township, Lebanon County, accessible from Interstate 81. Barr signed an agreement of sale on the parcel of land that is within one mile from the Penn National Race Course.

“We are pleased to inform the public that The Star Barn will live on for generations to come and that it will become the centerpiece and icon of a showcase for Pennsylvania agriculture, highlighting our rural heritage and the importance of agriculture to the Commonwealth,” Barr said. “The Star Barn will be preserved as it looked in 1872 and then utilized as a public building for concerts, dinners, shows, a tourist attraction, and a community theater. The Star Barn is listed as a National Historic Landmark with the National Register of Historic Places.”

Barr made the announcement at a 10:00 a.m. news conference today at the present site of The Star Barn. He said that the land under The Star Barn/ancillary buildings would be sold after the move. Barr plans to lead the media on a 1:00 p.m. tour of the new site in Lebanon County. He made the first public acknowledgement of his plans at the East Hanover Township supervisor’s meeting held Monday night (June 30).

Agrarian Country, a nonprofit organization, was established to preserve Pennsylvania farmland and farm buildings and to provide a place where people of all ages can visit and/or participate in the operation of numerous agricultural enterprises in a real-life farm setting. Through farmland preservation and hands-on agricultural educational activities, Agrarian Country hopes to rekindle interest in America’s agricultural heritage and a self-sufficient way of life, and provide a refreshing escape from everyday stresses.

Agrarian Country plans to operate numerous agricultural enterprises as part of its educational experience. In addition to The Star Barn complex, early plans include a horticultural center and botanical gardens, a Faith, Farm, and Family Museum, a 1906 restored chapel, and a park where community events can be held.

“We have some ambitious plans for Agrarian Country,” Barr said. “Planning is underway for the dismantling of The Star Barn and its ancillary buildings, expected to begin in early 2009. The schedule will be finalized this fall.”

Barr said the landmark nineteenth century Star Barn will be re-erected by the Timber Framers Guild using 1872 construction methods. This includes the use of oxen, mules, draft horses, and early period tools.

Each barn beam will be labeled with a steel plate as it is disassembled so that expert barn restorers and builders can precisely reassemble it. Barr said he plans a 10-day barn-raising festival that will include a Civil War reenactment, a music festival, and an agricultural foods festival.

He said interest has been shown in documenting the dismantling and re-raising of the landmark barn by both local and international filmmakers. Barr plans to spend the next several months lining up financing for Agrarian Country from both private and public sources. Those interested in volunteering and donating to the project can make contact at www.TheStarBarn.com.

December 19, 2007: Historic Star Barn Sold to Agrarian Country

Today, December 19, 2007, Preservation Pennsylvania, owner of The Star Barn since 2000, announced that this historic landmark complex of buildings located in Lower Swatara Township in Dauphin County has been sold to the nonprofit organization, Agrarian Country, located in Middletown.

Under terms of the sales agreement, the complex of buildings, including the huge white Star Barn, adjacent to Interstate 283, will be preserved for future generations. Each of the four buildings in the complex will be carefully dismantled and relocated in south central Pennsylvania to become the centerpiece of a large agricultural exhibition center.

The new organization, Agrarian Country, which will assume responsibility for preserving The Star Barn, is headed by Dr. Robert S. Barr who has a distinguished and diversified career as an educator, author, speaker, publisher, real estate appraiser, business entrepreneur and farmer. He is considered an expert in business and project management.

The gentle dismantling of The Star Barn and its re-assembly is tentatively scheduled for spring, 2008. Dr. Barr is currently considering several sites for the relocation and a future announcement will be made on sometime in early 2008. Dr. Barr commented that “The Star Barn has truly won the hearts of thousands of people from all walks of life. It reminds us of America’s wonderful agricultural heritage and is worthy of preservation.”

“Preservation Pennsylvania is so pleased to have found a wonderful steward for this important piece of Pennsylvania’s architectural heritage,” said Robert A. Kinsley, II, president of Preservation Pennsylvania.

“We were committed to waiting for the right buyer and we believe Agrarian County has proposed the perfect use for the complex allowing it to be preserved for the enjoyment of future generations.”