This weekend (9/27-28) countless old restored barns all across Iowa will open their doors to the public in the annual Iowa Barn Tour. These are barns which have received grants from the Iowa Barn Foundation to help with repair and restoration. The Barn Foundation is an organization whose primary goal is the preservation of our Iowa heritage.

In our immediate area, the closest barn on the tour is the recently restored Hayward Barn located 3.5 miles north of Dysart on county line Highway V37. Many people know this unique 100-year-old round brick structure as a local landmark, often used for giving directions or as the site of drawing classes and photo shoots. It has also appeared on calendars and in many books.

The complete listing of barns on the tour can be found on the internet at www.iowabarnfoundation.org.