Barns of Minnesota (Minnesota Byways) [Hardcover]

Will Weaver (Author), Doug Ohman (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2005 | Series: Minnesota Byways

Minnesota's barns are remarkable testaments to a midwestern way of life, one centered on the land, work, family, ingenuity, and perseverance. Many think of barns as breathtaking landmarks along the byways. Others have their favorite barns--the well-kept, red dairy barn near St. Cloud, the faded horse barn on the way to Faribault. Still others know these structures more intimately: barns are as integral to their lives as family and home. In Barns of Minnesota, photographer Doug Ohman showcases the vast array of these exceptional landmarks, built by hand in wood, stone, brick, or metal and dating back as far as 1880. Where Ohman's photographs capture the beauty of the barn from the outside in, Will Weaver's evocative story illuminates the life of the barn from the inside out. Readers witness the making and breaking of one barn as it plays into the life and sustenance of several generations of one family who settled the land in 1922 and who farmed into the age of agribusiness. Seventy-five stunning color photographs accompanied by Weaver's moving story uplift these beautiful buildings and a way of life on the land that is as strong and proud, as fragile and humble, as the barns among us.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Doug Ohman is a photographer who specializes in historic structures and community landmarks. His photographs have been featured in the Smithsonian Institution's exhibit Barn Again! Celebrating an American Icon. He lives in New Hope, Minnesota. Will Weaver is an award-winning author whose works include A Gravestone Made of Wheat, which won the Minnesota Book Award for fiction, and a forthcoming novel, Full Service. He is a professor of English at Bemidji State University.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Minnesota Historical Society Press; 1 edition (April 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0873515277
• ISBN-13: 978-0873515276
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 8.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #671,342 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Living in a Barn, September 7, 2005

By 

Kristine Strange (Chaska, MN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Barns of Minnesota (Minnesota Byways) (Hardcover)

We live in a Yankee Barn Home in Minnesota that is constructed from 150-100 year old timbers from old barns and industrial buildings from the east coast. As such, we are fascinated with the tradition and long standing barns across this great nation. BARNS of MINNESOTA captures the essence of the old barns in this great state of ours. We purchased this book along with the BACKROADS of MINENESOTA to be able to combine scenic backroad trips along with the opportunity to search out the old, wonderful barns. We highly recommend these two books as a great set for backroads scenic adventures that highlight some of the great barns of Minnesota! See you on the backroads!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars great story, great photos, July 7, 2008

By 

palesoftie (exile MN, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Barns of Minnesota (Minnesota Byways) (Hardcover)

This is a really great book if you want a little history and you care about the disappearing barns. I'm an old barn owner with little knowledge about what these things meant to my elders. I imagine my grandparents and their day to day lives when I read this story. It's an easy read.