In Celebration of the Centennial Barn
“ . . . an exciting project is now fully launched!”
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The Sisters' Tour group |
Karen Amend talks with Kay Brogle of Healthy Moms and Babes at the Open House |
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Sr. Joanne Schuster, SFP - February 2010
At last, the Centennial Barn is open! The Open House was held on January 14, 2010 - and the warm hospitality of the Sisters and 'the Barn' staff - along with the beauty and vibrancy of 'the Barn' were impressive. About 200+ people attended. Each person was greeted warmly at the door and given a tour. In February 2010, a whole array of programs will be available…but not so many that members of the surrounding community cannot make suggestions and hold community gatherings.
A Rich History
Then we gathered on the second floor for refreshments and for Sr. Arlene McGowan's wonderful recap of the history of the barn. She started by telling us that the property (42.5 acres) was sold at a Sheriff's auction in the early 1800s for $5.00. By the time the Sisters bought the property in 1894, it cost $24,000. At the time, Sr. Columba Voss came to design and build St. Clare Convent. However, Sr. Columba's health was failing and Sr. Coletta was brought from Germany to finish St. Clare's and to build a new barn.
The old building stood directly across from the chapel doors -- with all the sights and sounds and smells usually found in barns --therefore, the site was placed on the other side of the property. Sr. Coletta visited every barn in the vicinity before she designed and built this one.
For most of its life, it served as a barn but as times changed, it became a dwelling place for the Sisters' visiting families, a rehabilitation site for young people with addictions - and finally a storage place for the Franciscan Terrace. And now it has been resurrected, and renewed - and made eco-friendly through careful redesign…
Everyone enjoyed seeing it, admiring its beauty -- and learning about its history! The women seemed to enjoy the warm wood and lovely proportions of 'the Barn' and the men loved its historicity.
On the next evening, there was a special event just for the Sisters and the staff. Tours were offered and we gathered for delicious refreshments on the second floor. Once again, Sr. Arlene shared the history, only to be interrupted time and again as Sisters shared their memories - some hilarious and some pure nostalgia. It was a warm, wonderful and very memorable evening!
More Celebration and Thanksgiving
But we were not done yet! The very next evening, we held a "Thank You Party" for all those who helped with this monumental project. People talked about how they got involved, what they did, what they hoped the Centennial Barn would offer to their communities (primarily Hartwell and Wyoming). As we all sat around another offering of positively delicious food, people already began asking about how they could use 'the Barn,' whether there could be weddings, family reunions, and what programs would be made available…and how they, personally could stay involved. It was a small but enthusiastic gathering - and several people were having such a good time that they stayed long after "closing time!"
Though a few tasks remain, staff members have moved into their offices and are preparing for the programming that will soon begin. Sandra Morrow, Event Coordinator for the Centennial Barn, reports that already many people are calling and making enquiries…and an exciting project is now fully launched!