Barn-raising by New Jersey Barn Company on St. Michaels Farm Preserve for D&R Greenway Land Trust. (Photo by Jay Watson).
D&R Greenway Land Trust is set to dedicate the rescued historic timberframe barn on Hopewell’s St. Michaels Farm Preserve.
The restoration of St. Michael’s McComb Barn was filmed for a PBS series by Steve Zink of Warren Z Productions.
The circa-1840 timber frame barn was restored by New Jersey Barn Company. D&R Greenway trustee and barn collector, Dave Reynolds, had the McComb barn disassembled in Belle Mead, and stored on his Hopewell property until it could replace the crumbling St. Michaels barn.
Five Hopewell residents donated funds to enable the McComb barn’s construction on the new site.
Restorers included entryways and nesting boxes for barn owls and swallows. Crowning the re-created barn is a handsome weathervane, by Z Signs of Trenton. A silhouette of four children holding hands against the Hopewell sky, the design commemorates children who lived in the St. Michaels Orphanage from 1873 into 1972.
The dedication and barn dance celebration is scheduled for 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sept. 28 at St. Michaels Farm Preserve, off Princeton Ave. in Hopewell.
The event features a family music and movement class, led by Music Together(r) founder/director Ken Guilmartin.
A nature walk from the restored barn to the site of the one-hour yoga session at the Charles Evans Overlook is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.. Beginning at 5:45, St. Michaels outdoor yoga will be led by Lara Heimann from Princeton’s YogaStream Studio. Yoga mats and infused water will be provided on site, courtesy of lululemon athletica in Princeton.
Barn dancing is set to begin at 7 p.m. to the music of Bill Flemer’s Riverside Bluegrass Band.
Guests are encouraged to bring picnic suppers, blankets, flashlights and folding chairs.
Ian Macdonald Catering of Hopewell is set to offer beverages and foods and beverages, including barbecue, for purchase.
A $5 donation is suggested. Fees assist D&R Greenway in their preservation and stewardship mission.
Preserve staff is set to store native plants grown on property and farm equipment in the barn.
More information is online at drgreenway.org.
,
