Working toward National Landmark Status…
UW DAIRY BARN — Complete information
17.March.04
UW-Dairy Barn Being Considered as National Treasure
Through
April 30, 2004, the National Park Service has an open comment period for Wisconsin
citizens, farmers, agricultural organizations, and University of Wisconsin alumni
to write in support of the UW-Dairy Barn on the Madison campus.
The UW-Barn is being considered for listing as a National Historic Landmark (NHL) by the National Park Service. This is the highest award given to qualifying structures and places in America. It can only be given to structures or places that have special significance to the American people.
“While this barn more than any other barn made Wisconsin ‘The Dairy State,’ its impact on the region and nation is outstanding,” said Roger Springman, Project Coordinator for Barns N.O.W! “It is the research conducted inside its labs and stalls that really distinguishes it. Breakthrough research on nutrition and feeding allowed for the identification of Vitamin A in 1913 along with many practical applications in animal breeding and ensiling during the following years.”
The UW-Dairy Barn was designed by J.T.W. Jennings of a French Normandy styling and was completed in 1897. The F.H. King Tower Silo still adorns the northeastern corner of the barn at 1915 Linden Drive behind the Dairy Forage Research Center. In 2002, the Madison Trust for Historic Preservation and Barns N.O.W! were successful in having it listed as a state and national historic site.
“The benefits of National Historic Landmark listing can be exceptional,” said Nancy McMahon, Project Coordinator for the Madison Trust. “As it could be the only barn in America to ever achieve this status, we are convinced that this alone could lead to extra interest by foundations and trusts for money to support restoration and enhancement. It would immediately qualify for the National Treasurer’s Program of the Department of the Interior.”
“Letters of support for NHL listing do not have to be long or complicated. All they need do is express sincere belief that this barn represents special value and interest to Wisconsin,” said Roger Springman. “And, with the thousands of farm families who sent their sons and daughters through the Short Course over the decades, it would seem easy to demonstrate compelling significance.”
• UW Dairy Barn Placed on National Register of Historic Places
2.1.02
On Friday, January 18th, the State Historical Society of Wisconsin
voted unanimously to place the UW Dairy Barn on the National Register
of Historic Places. This action means that the barn has been formally
recognized and honored for its outstanding contributions to Wisconsin
and the dairy industry. Two organizations, Barns Network of
Wisconsin! (N.O.W!) and the Madison Trust for Historic Preservation,
sponsored the nomination.
“This action corrected a twenty- to thirty-year historical oversight. It should have been done in the 1970s or 1980s,” said Roger Springman, President of Barns N.O.W! “The evidence presented on the barn’s behalf was simply overwhelming. Not only did it provide the backdrop for training thousands of immigrant families on how to milk cows through the University’s Short Course, but it played a critical role in improving cattle health, nutrition, and breeding through the 1930s and 1940s. There can be no doubt that this was the barn that helped make Wisconsin the Dairy State,” said Springman.
Recognizing the outstanding scientific contributions played by the Dairy Barn, the Madison Trust and Barns N.O.W! immediately moved its consideration as a National Landmark through the National Park Service. This decision will not be made until late this year or next year. “Very few barns have attained this status in America, but we believe the UW Dairy Barn has an outstanding chance of being recognized,” said Springman.
Even with National Register listing, the Dairy Barn faces an uncertain future. Decisions may yet be made by the UW-Madison this spring to tear down the east and west wings of the barn because of the need to relocate campus greenhouses. However, National Register and National Landmark listing can help make funds available to renovate buildings to modern uses along with bringing public attention to renovation projects.
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• Click here to download a larger version of the photo at right. Please include the credit line “Courtesy Paul McMahon, used by permission.”
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• Click here to download a print-quality version of the photo at right [300 dpi, 1.03 MB]. Please include the credit line “Courtesy University of Wisconsin-Madison Archives, X25-336.”
•
Capital
Times
editorial (9.19.01) urging support of UW Dairy Barn preservation:
“The state and the university could do no better service for Wisconsin citizens
than to come together to celebrate their shared history by preserving the Dairy
Barn.”
• Worksheet of alternative use suggestions for the Dairy Barn, presented to UW Deans by Barns N.O.W! and the Madison Trust for Historic Preservation.
• “Architecture
and Science Associated with the Dairy Barn at the University of Wisconsin-Madison”
by Holly E. Smith, Susan Haswell, and Prof. Arnold R. Alanen
Department of Landscape Architecture
University of Wisconsin-Madison
— A paper presenting the historical and architectural significance of the
Barn and the important agricultural research associated with it. Used with permission
(although photos are not included at this time).
[Acrobat PDF format]
“All who are in a position to appreciate its usefulness are very enthusiastic in their praises of the new barn. From without it is truly a beautiful building. The tower in the corner and the little cupolas — resembling minarets — give it an artistic appearance. But once within the building we are surprised and astonished at the many inventions that have been utilized in order to make the building as up-to-date and useful as possible.” from the Daily Cardinal, Dec. 15, 1897.
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