The South Lyon Area Historical Society hopes to preserve a barn that is well over a century old.
But it won’t be cheap. The barn will need to be disassembled, moved two miles to the society’s historical village and put back together at an estimated cost of $150,000-$200,000.
“There are not many left anymore in this area,” said Linda Ross, historical society president. “All of our farms are now subdivisions.”
The society hopes to use the barn to teach children about the area’s agricultural past. It is estimated to be between 120 and 140 years old.
The group already owns numerous artifacts that could be displayed in the barn.
The Roper family has owned the barn on Pontiac Trail south of Eight Mile in Salem Township for at least 50 years. The historical village is a short distance away at Pontiac Trail and Dorothy Street in South Lyon. Overhead lines require the barn to be taken apart so it can be transported.
The family is open to preserving the barn but will likely want to sell the property soon, Ross said. The new owners would probably want to tear the barn down, Ross said, so the group doesn’t have unlimited time.
The society hopes to secure grants to raise the money needed, as well as hold fundraisers, such as its recent Depot Day event.
To help the historical society with the project, send a check made payable to S.L.A.H.S to P.O. Box 263, South Lyon, MI 48178. Note on the check that the funds are for the barn project.
