Your Old Barn Study

Before you Begin the Your Old Barn Study…

Before you enter information in the Your Old Barn Study (YOBS) questionnaire on your computer, we suggest you go to your barn first to collect the information you require to answer the questions. A summary of the information needed is contained in the Checklist below. Print and take the Checklist with you to the barn as a guide to collecting and recording the barn information.

You can also watch the following video to assist you with collecting the barn information.

We suggest taking the following items to the barn: paper/notebook and a pen/pencil, a camera (cell phone camera is adequate), flashlight for low light places in the barn e.g. granary, and a measuring tape (25 foot works well) or laser measuring app on your cell phone. A compass will help with getting the orientation of the barn if you don’t have access to Google Earth. Also, having someone to assist with recording information and observation of barn details is helpful.

There are No mandatory fields to answer. However, we strongly recommend completing the Barn Owner name and a method of contact (email or phone number), as well as the location of the barn with at least one of the barn address, GPS Coordinates, or historical lot/concession/township/county.

Important: Any data collected through Your Old Barn Study will not be used for the heritage designation of any barn. All personal information submitted will be kept confidential and will not be used or shared with anyone outside OBP without prior participant consent. Personal information includes barn owner’s name and contact information, and barn address or GPS coordinates.

If you have any questions or concerns about Your Old Barn Study, please contact your OBP Regional Representative.

Here is the checklist of things you need to get started.

OR

You can download a paper copy of the questionnaire if your WIFI isn’t great in the barn. You will still need to input the information yourself at your computer after you collect it. Print with caution, its a lot of pages!

Initial Summary of the First Barns in Your Old Barn Study:

In collaboration with the University of Guelph, we have completed a summary of information from the first 115 barns entered into YOBS. We have barns submitted from across the province. Early findings indicate that most barns were built in the period between 1850 to 1900 and many are still part of working farms. We have numerous photographs of the outside and inside these barns, including some interesting historical photographs. Some barn owners have submitted stories and anecdotes about their barns. Please see a brief summary graphic of the barn information below. You too can have your barn be a part of this historical record of our proud farming past.

If you have any questions about Your Old Barn Study, let us know.