Barn Preservation Initiative

2008 Heritage Barn Preservation Program Guidelines

The King County Historic Preservation Program is pleased to present the guidelines and application form for the 2008 Heritage Barn Preservation Program. The goal of the program is to provide funds for the stabilization, rehabilitation and restoration of historic barns and related outbuildings such as sheds, silos, milkhouses, or other structures that are historically associated with the working life of a farm.

Approximately $100,000 is available in 2008. Awards are anticipated to be in the range of $5,000 to $15,000. Applicants are encouraged to provide matching funds through in-kind labor and materials, the applicant’s own cash, or other funding sources.

All recipients of Heritage Barn Preservation funds will contract for reimbursement with King County and must meet defined insurance and public benefit requirements. Please read these Guidelines (pdf) for more information.

• Download the 2008 application form (Microsoft word document)

Preserve and protect historic barns in rural King County

Preservation of King County's historic barns, farmsteads and landscapes is the focus of several new initiatives in the King County Historic Preservation Program. Working with local and statewide partners such as 4Culture and the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation, King County has created a new grant program to preserve barns, and is working to develop information resources and financial incentives that will help property owners preserve the barns and agricultural buildings that define the character of our rural communities.

Washington State Heritage Barn Register

Governor Christine Gregoire signed the Washington State Heritage Barn Preservation Bill in May 2007, establishing the Heritage Barn Register and creating a statewide barn preservation grant program. More information can be found on the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation web site.

Get Involved

If you own a historic barn or agricultural property in King County, or are interested in getting involved in preserving heritage farms in your area, contact King County Historic Preservation Officer Julie Koler at 206.296.8689 or julie.koler@kingcounty.gov.

Other Agriculture & Barn Preservation Resources

• King County’s Agriculture Program

• National Barn Alliance

• BARN AGAIN! a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation & Successful Farming Magazine