Encouraging and Supporting Barn Preservation Across America
Mission of the National Barn Alliance
To provide national leadership for the preservation of America’s historic barns and rural heritage through education, documentation, conservation, and networking.
We are a nation-wide, non-profit organization coordinating preservation efforts to save America’s Historic Barns. Our members are farmers and city dwellers, students, historical groups, timber framers, and lots of folks who just love barns.
We fulfill our mission to provide national leadership for the preservation of America’s historic barns and their rural heritage by:
- Encouraging documentation of historic barns and other rural structures through survey and photography;
- Supporting educational programming and materials related to barn and farmstead preservation;
- Encouraging the creation of and support of existing state and local barn preservation organizations and preservation programs;
- Facilitating the sharing of information on barns, their history and their maintenance by connecting members and specialists during events, conferences, and social media.
Learn about our Philosophy
NBA’s Guiding Principles for Barn Preservation in America:
(in order of preference)
1) Document: in all cases, written and visual documentation should occur, as structures and their settings are fragile. In some cases, this may be the only recourse for a threatened barn or farmstead.
2) Preserve original character of barn; new use within historic context.
3) Preserve entire structure on new site.
4) Make most efficient use of materials through reconstruction or recycling.
Join Us!
Join the National Barn Alliance and help protect America’s fast-disappearing rural heritage! Dues are reinvested into the organization and its mission to preserve America’s rural heritage. The NBA has no paid staff members and is run by a group of dedicated volunteers. Members receive periodic newsletters and invitations to our sponsored and affiliated events.
Become a member
National Barn Alliance Publications
The continued efforts of the National Barn Alliance to partner with institutes of higher learning has led to developments such as a joint publication with the University of Mary Washington, Historic Preservation Department.
The National Barn Alliance also publishes a bi-annual newsletter known as The Barn Door. This publication is mailed solely to our membership and provides a glimpse into various barn preservation issues, workshops, conferences, and barn tours across the country as well as information on recent NBA activities.
Stay up to Date!
Keep up with all the latest barn news and events by receiving our newsletter and following us on social media. You’ll enjoy the articles and stories about historic barns, barn preservation, and the most recent legislation affecting our historic rural heritage.
Receive our e-newsletter
Board of Directors
Danae Peckler, KY/VA – President
Michael Woodford, NY – Vice President
Jim Prager, CA – Treasurer
Michael Cuba, NJ – Secretary
Members-At-Large
Don Truax, IL – Membership
Bob Sherman, IL
Charles Bultman, MI
Keith Cramer, NY
John Adamson, VA
Jeff Marshall, PA – Past President
Past Board Members of Note
Charles Leik, barnjournal.org founder
Dr. William J. Kimball (1925-2013)
Join Us!
About The Barn Journal
NBA’s blog, The Barn Journal, is named in honor of the work of Past President, Charles Leik, and the website he started in 1996. Charles communicated with a number of barn owners around the country and compiled their stories for all to enjoy. The site continues to feature a number of topics related to saving old barns and is known to many in the preservation community as a valuable resource. 