Barns are a familiar element of the Indiana landscape. Whether one is an owner or simply an admirer of these iconic structures, the chance to learn more about them is offered on Saturday, October 6 at the Putnam County Museum, which along with Indiana Landmarks and the Heritage Preservation Society of Putnam County (HPS) is hosting a “Barn Again” workshop open to the public.

The format features morning seminars, lunch and afternoon tours of three local historic barns.

The program begins with check-in at 8:30am at the museum, located at 1105 N. Jackson St., and finishes at 5pm.

Speakers include Rick Collins of Trillium Dell Timberworks, who will explain the basics of timber frame construction and how it affects barn rehabilitation and reuse. He is planning to bring a large-scale model to illustrate his talk.

Tommy Kleckner, Western Regional Director of Indiana Landmarks, will detail barn styles and those most commonly found in Indiana.

Also presented will be information concerning financial incentives, technical assistance and the heritage barn tax deduction.

After lunch, attendees will drive caravan-style to tour three barns in Fillmore. Carpooling is suggested, especially in 4-wheel drive vehicles. Barns are not all accessible to those with mobility issues. Practical shoes and clothes are recommended.

The tour features a gambrel-roof transverse frame barn, a dairy barn converted to a sawmill and a 19th-century Midwest three-portal barn.

Tickets must be purchased by noon on Tuesday, October 2.

Registration is available online at www.indianalandmarks.org or by calling Indiana Landmarks at 1-800-450-4534.

The cost is $25, which includes lunch. Members of HPS or Indiana Landmarks receive a $5 discount, so this would be an advantageous time to join one of these organizations.

Sponsors of the workshop include the Indiana Barn Foundation, Putnam County Convention and Visitor Bureau, Putnam County Community Foundation, Purdue Extension Putnam County and Headley Hardware.