Barn Preservation Initiative will help owners restore endangered barns

King County Executive Ron Sims will honor some of the year’s best preservation projects on Friday, by recognizing stewards of two King County Landmark barns that have stood the test of time, and that tell the stories of our region’s agricultural heritage and community history.

Awards for Excellence in Historic Preservation will be presented to the City of Auburn and the White River Valley Museum for their collaborative efforts to preserve and restore the 1897 Hay Barn at the Mary Olson Farm in Auburn, and to Roger Thorson, owner of the 1910 Hjertoos Barn in Carnation.

“This year’s awards showcase outstanding historic preservation projects,” said Sims. “At the same time, we are celebrating the links between preserving our heritage and maintaining our ongoing commitment to preserving farmlands and maintaining our agricultural economy. These awards celebrate our past as well as our future.”

The top honorees for the 2006 King County Executive’s John D. Spellman Award for Exemplary Achievement in Historic Preservation have worked with the King County Landmarks Commission to designate their historically significant properties as King County Landmarks.

The Mary Olson Farm is owned by the City of Auburn, and is considered to be one of the best preserved family farmsteads in King County.

The White River Valley Museum is working diligently to restore the 1897 Hay Barn for use as an education center.

The Hjertoos Farm, now known as the Carnation Tree Farm, is one of the most recognizable historic icons in the Snoqualmie Valley. The distinctive blue gabled barn was built by the great-grandparents of the current owner, Roger Thorson.

“In celebrating the preservation of these two wonderful historic barns, we are also calling attention to the plight of many endangered historic barns around King County, which may also be worthy of preservation,” said Julie Koler, King County Historic Preservation Officer. “This year’s preservation awards ceremony will include an introduction of King County’s Barn Preservation Initiative, intended to help property owners preserve and restore their historic barns.”

The awards will be given out on Friday, May 5th at the Vincent Community Club, at 8001 W. Snoqualmie Valley Road NE, near Carnation. The public is invited to attend.

A reception will begin at 10:30 a.m. and the awards ceremony will begin at 11:00 a.m. For more information, contact Julie Koler, King County Historic Preservation Officer at (206) 296-8689 or julie.koler@metrokc.gov.