The old barn is a Morrisville, Vermont landmark and is owned by Earle and Arlene Welch. Earle`s grandfather built the barn in 1916 and up to 10 years ago was where the Welch`s milked their cows. The barn has 20 sides and is considered rare. 161 views.

The barn was a trend at the time so his grandfather wanted to build the latest, most efficient, prettiest thing he could come up with.

After 92 years the barn is showing it`s age and needs alot of work, so the Welch`s started a renovation project 8 years ago. To save money the Welch family is doing the work themselves….Earl uses wood from the land and cuts it into planks himself.

Their three children and five grandchildren help on the weekends and in the evenings. And after 8 years, the family is now on the fast track to finish the job because a granddaughter is planning to get married here next June.

“They’re hard workers – they want it as much as we do,” Arlene says.

In rebuilding the round barn the Welchs are sticking to the original design. They’re even going to repaint this yellow which they did 40 years ago to have it match the original red stain that was there when it was built in 1916.

“But Earle has had one goal in his life and that is to put this barn back the way it was when his grandpa built it,” Arlene says.

Earle agrees, “That’s my dream. Some people want to take vacations, but I want to see the barn restored.”

A legacy to leave for the next generation.

Kristin Carlson WCAX news