Gilmore Car Museum wins "Barn of the Year" Award
Historic 1897 Campania Barn is selected for unique honor
When you consider awards that an automotive museum might receive, you naturally think of those focusing on the fantastic restoration of a vehicle, the museum's exhibits or even their special events. The Gilmore Car Museum of Hickory Corners, Michigan has received its share of prestigious honors over the years, but having one of its historic buildings named the "2004 Barn of the Year" is a first for them, and is likely a first among all auto museums.
While recognized for its world-class collection of automobiles, the Gilmore Car Museum is also well known for its 90-acre park-like setting and its "off the beaten path" location. The museum has been affectionately referred to as the "Red Barns" for its collection of restored historic barns that dot the rural landscape. Barns aren't the only historic structures you'll encounter: a recreated small-town train depot, a 1930s service station and an authentic 1940s diner also greet visitors. Yet, its the towering red barns, each with a fascinating history of its own, that takes your breath away before you even see a single car. Many of these barns were dismantled board-by-board, then relocated and reassembled at the museum to house its vast collection of cars.
In the very center of this cluster of buildings sits one notable barn of historic significance, Campania Barn, named the "2004 Barn of the Year" by the Michigan Barn Preservation Network (MBPN). The non-profit organization based in Mt. Pleasant, MI annually selects a barn built prior to 1936 that best represents their mission: to promote the appreciation, preservation and rehabilitation of historic Michigan barns'.
The award was presented to the Gilmore Car Museum on March 13, 2004 during the Barn Network's annual conference, which was held on the campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI. The two-day conference drew more than 200 people from three states and featured the Smithsonian Institute's traveling exhibit "Barn Again! Celebrating an American Icon."
"This annual award honors a heritage barn which has been skillfully preserved," said MBPN President Vera Wiltse. "Choosing a single barn is becoming more difficult as people are realizing the extraordinary value to be found in saving these Michigan icons. The Campania Barn is a superb example of an adaptive use. We commend the Gilmore Car Museum for its foresight in recognizing the awe-inspiring addition that the Campania Barn makes to its facilities."
Campania Barn is an amazing structure stands nearly five stories tall and was built in 1897 for the A.M. Todd Company's mint farm near Fennville, MI, in western Allegan County. Todd was an innovator who, in 1869, developed a steam-powered method of distilling mint and later became known as the "Peppermint King." By the turn of the century, Todd was supplying spearmint and peppermint oils to a young Chicago entrepreneur by the name of P. J. Wrigley, as well as to other businesses for candies and toothpaste.
The 1600-acre mint farm was named "Campania Farm," possibly after a district in Italy, and became the largest mint farm in the world. It included eight residences, a company store and hotel, along with a bathhouse, granary and distillery.
The farm was also the home to a five-story mint barn, known today as Campania Barn. Its lower level originally housed horse stables and equipment, while its upper level, an extraordinarily high single story, was used to store great quantities of mint hay.
Over the years, A.M. Todd experimented with growing other crops at their Campania Farm as well: broom corn for brooms and brushes, produce such as onions and potatoes and, during WWI, hemp for making rope. By the 1930s, A.M Todds mint production had moved to California. Following the outbreak of WWII, the company farm became a wildlife refuge and was later sold to the state of Michigan in 1950.
The farm, which now makes up part of the Allegan County State Game Area, became the headquarters for Michigan's Department of Natural Resources "Farm Unit". With the homes and most of the buildings now either torn down or moved, the farm is a popular site for both Canadian geese and sightseers.
Today, Campania Barn is also a popular place for sightseers at its "new" home 45 miles away the Gilmore Car Museum. In August of 1965, Donald Gilmore, an auto collector and then Chairman of Upjohn Pharmaceuticals, acquired the barn from the state. Workers started the monumental task of carefully dismantling the barn board by board, numbering each piece and reassembling it. By May of 1966, Campania Barn had been restored to its former glory at the center of Gilmore's 90-acre complex of antique cars housed in other historic Michigan barns.
Donald Gilmore, encouraged by his wife Genevieve and following the example of Henry Ford and his Greenfield Village, opened the collection to the public in July of 1966. The Gilmore Car Museum was established as a non-profit foundation and today is considered one of the top automotive museums in the nation. The over 200 cars of the collection from the 1899 Locomobile to the classic Duesenberg, the elusive Tucker, the Model T or the muscle cars of the 60s' are all displayed in the wonderfully restored barns.
With nearly three miles of paved roadways, the Gilmore Car Museum exhibits are often seen "touring" the grounds with a thrilled guest in the passenger seat. The museum is also the home of three prestigious partners: the Classic Car Club of America Museum, The Pierce-Arrow Museum and the Tucker Historical Collection and Library.
So, while you may visit southwest Michigan's Gilmore Car Museum expecting to see some outstanding automobiles, you will certainly be amazed at the majestic and award-winning barns that have been preserved as well.
The Gilmore Car Museum is located in the heart of southwest Michigan, midway between Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, and Grand Rapids. The Museum is open to the public, May through October, daily 9 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and until 6:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. To learn more about the museum visit www.GilmoreCarMuseum.org. For more information on the MBPN and their mission visit http://www.mibarn.net/
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Photos upon request.
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