Heritage Barns of Rush County

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Rushville, IN
Heritage Barns of Rush County

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Preserving Indiana's heritage one barn at a time.

10/31/2026

10/20/2026

Keep your cupolas in good shape for better efficiency!

The cupola lets a barn breathe, without a single fan.

That small structure on top of a barn roof is more than decoration. Stored hay gives off moisture and heat, and a barn full of it needs a way to let that air leave. Warm air rises, so a cupola with louvered openings at the very top of the roof gives it an exit, while cooler air is drawn in lower down.

Without that airflow, moisture can build up inside the barn. That encourages mold, can spoil the feed, and is hard on the building's wood over time. Cupolas were also a convenient source of light and sometimes held a weathervane or a pulley for hoisting.

Today many cupolas are mostly decorative, and a lot of modern barns rely on ridge vents or powered fans instead. But the principle behind them, warm air leaving through the highest point, is the same one used in ridge vents on ordinary houses.

Does the barn you know best still have its cupola?

10/14/2026

07/04/2026

Happy 4th of July from the Indiana Barn Foundation! 🇺🇸

Today we celebrate the spirit of independence, community, and the rural landscapes that help tell Indiana’s story. From weathered timber frames to iconic red barns standing proudly across the countryside, these places remind us of the hard work, heritage, and craftsmanship that built our state.

As you gather with family and friends this holiday, we hope you’ll take a moment to appreciate the barns and farmsteads that are such an important part of Indiana’s history.

Wishing you a safe and joyful Independence Day!

📸: Susan Ross

06/23/2026

Barn Assessment Workshop
Wednesday, June 24, 1 – 5 p.m.
North Liberty, IN
The Indiana Barn Foundation assessors are knowledgeable volunteers with a passion for barns. We always have more requests for assessments than we do volunteers; we're always looking for interested people to become assessors.
If you are interested in becoming a barn assessor for IBF, or have an interest in barn repair, come to our Barn Assessment workshop on June 24 from noon – 4 pm ET. It is a half-day training on how to assess the condition of a barn, and how to physically evaluate the interior and exterior relative to the structure and foundation stability. You do not need to already be thoroughly knowledgeable about barns, if you have the passion and interest please consider joining us.
IBF Board members Mark Kurth and Randy Miles will walk through the barn assessment process. Alan DeFrees and Stephen Hartley, professors at the Notre Dame School of Architecture, will discuss historic building technique repairs.
The workshop takes place in La Porte County. It is $30 to attend. Only a few more spaces are available. The address will be provided to attendees closer to the
Barn Assessment date.

The Indiana Barn Foundation is the state's only statewide non-profit devoted to the preservation of Indiana’s agricultural heritage .

Join us in the mission!
To register, visit us at Indianabarns.org/events

▪︎ Link in bio

04/21/2026

More helpful tips from our at Peg and Pin

Address

Rushville, IN

Website

http://www.indianabarns.org/

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