The Iowa Barn Foundation

08/09/2026

The true beauty of a barn lies within.....

You will usually find our volunteer photographer, Dave Austin, hanging out in the haymow of barns during his visits. That is where you can see the most architectural details of a barn.

Here are two views of the Dougherty barn in Calhoun County...one taken from the outside, and one taken standing in the haymow looking in the same direction.

The barn will be of one of 25 open for touring during the Iowa Barn Foundation Calhoun County Barn Tour June 26-27, 2027. The Iowa Barn Foundation has hosted the largest barn tours in the country for 26 years.
https://iowabarnfoundation.org/barn-tours/

08/08/2026

The gable-roof Dougherty barn in Calhoun County is believed to have been built around 1900 prior to the family purchasing the farmstead in 1909.

The barn originally housed dairy cows and draft horses. The horse stalls were later converted to accommodate swine production.

The barn has been preserved with a metal roof and metal siding. It is currently home to the resident farm cats. The magical haymow views are worth the climb.

The barn will be of one of 25 open for touring during the Iowa Barn Foundation Calhoun County Barn Tour June 26-27, 2027. The Iowa Barn Foundation has hosted the largest barn tours in the country for 26 years.
https://iowabarnfoundation.org/barn-tours/

08/08/2026

Thanks to Our Iowa Magazine for the great coverage of the Iowa Barn Foundation 2026 All State Barn Tour - September 19-20. The tour will have a record 108 stops with the opportunity to tour the inside of the barns from 9-5 both days.

The tour is free and open to the public, made possible by our member donors. The Iowa Barn Foundation is a volunteer-led non-profit that accepts member donations to fund barn restoration grants to save Iowa's historic barns.

The free online interactive tour guide can be found here:
https://iowabarnfoundation.org/barn-tour/2026-all-state-barn-tour-sept-19-20/

Become a member donor to receive our 64 page fall magazine barn photos, stories, and a printed tour map/guide.
https://iowabarnfoundation.org/product/membership/

08/07/2026

NEW MEMBERS SPECIAL!

Become a new member donor today and receive our barn coffee table book for free. You will also get our 2026 spring and fall magazines. The fall magazine includes a map and tour guide to the 108 stops on our September 19-20 All-State Barn Tour.

Offer valid for online membership purchases made through August 16th, 2026.

New Membership: https://iowabarnfoundation.org/product/membership/

Gift Membership: https://iowabarnfoundation.org/product/gift-membership/

08/07/2026

We have restocked our t-shirt inventory after the June Barn Tour.

Order now to ensure you get the color/size you want - $30 with free shipping. Inventory is limited.

Heather Red - S, M, L, XL, 2XL
Dark Heather Gray - M, L

4.5 oz., pre-shrunk with Softstyle cotton Heather Gray and Heather Red – 65/35 poly/ring spun cotton 30 singlesDouble-needle stitched neckline and sleeves Quarter-turnedShoulder-to-shoulder taping Three-quarter inch seamless collar

08/02/2026

The Lauver Barn will be one of 25 barns featured in the Iowa Barn Foundation Calhoun County Barn Tour June 26-27, 2027.

The barn was built on the farmstead of Glen and Viola Lauver in 1954 after they lost their barn in a fire. It is likely one of the last barns built in the county.

The 6th and 7th generations of the Lauver family reside on the farmstead today. The family still has the hand drawn barn plans created by Glen Lauver showing space for 3 dairy cows, a bull pen, and sow pens.

The gothic arch roof was constructed from pre-manufactured laminated rafters made by the Rilco company in St. Paul, MN.

The Iowa Barn Foundation is in its 26th year of hosting sping and fall barn tours, which are free and open to the public. Become a member donor today to get our fall magazine with full details on the Iowa Barn Foundation 2026 All State Barn Tour - September 19-20 which will feature 108 stops.

https://iowabarnfoundation.org/barn-tours/

The Iowa Barn Foundation is a volunteer-led non-profit committed to saving Iowa's historic barns by providing restoration grants to barn owners.

07/28/2026

If you are a subscriber to Our Iowa Magazine, you may recognize the 1900 Conover Barn in Ida County in the gatefold of the August/September issue. The photo was taken by our volunteer photographer, Dave Austin.

The barn is an Iowa Barn Foundation Award of Distinction recipient, and it resides on a century farm. The farmstead also features a second restored barn and corn crib. See more photos here:
https://iowabarnfoundation.org/barns/conover-barn/

You can check out this barn yourself as it is one of 108 stops on the Iowa Barn Foundation 2026 All State Barn Tour - September 19-20 - the largest barn tour in the world!