Description

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In this new edition of his classic book, award-winning author Jerry Apps shares a unique perspective on the great barns of rural Wisconsin. Digging deep as both an enthusiast and a farmer, Apps reaps a story of change: from the earliest pioneer structures to the low steel buildings of modern dairy farms, barns have adapted to meet the needs of each generation. They’ve housed wheat, tobacco, potatoes, and dairy cows, and they display the optimism, ingenuity, hard work, and practicality of the people who tend land and livestock. Featuring more than 100 stunning full-color photographs by Steve Apps, plus dozens of historic images, Barns of Wisconsin illuminates a vanishing way of life. The book explores myriad barn designs—from rectangular to round, from gable roof to gambrel, from fieldstone to wood—always with an eye to the history and craftsmanship of the Norwegians, Germans, Swiss, Finns, and others who built and used them. Barns of Wisconsin captures both the iconic and the unique, including historic and noteworthy barns, and discusses the disappearance of barns from our landscape and preservation efforts to save these important symbols of American agriculture.

About the Author

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Jerry Apps is professor emeritus at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the author of many books on rural history and country life, including Old Farm: A History and Horse-Drawn Days: A Century of Farming with Horses. Jerry was born and raised on a small farm in Waushara County, Wisconsin, where he spent countless hours working in the barn, milking and feeding cows, helping to store hay in the haymow, and appreciating the barn’s importance to the life of a farm.

Steve Apps is an award-winning photojournalist with twenty-five years in the newspaper industry. As a Wisconsin State Journal staff photographer he has covered a wide range of assignments including the Green Bay Packers and University of Wisconsin–Madison sports. In 2008 he received the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s prestigious Dave Boss Award of Excellence; his photo “First Down” was selected as Photograph of the Year for the 2007 season. In his off-time Steve loves to travel the state documenting Wisconsin and all its beauty, including farmsteads and barns.

Praise For…

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"The Places along the Way book series, of which this book is a part, represents a renaissance in writing about Wisconsin; written to encourage tourism, these books celebrate Wisconsin's history and culture. In addition to the plethora (140) of vivid color photos, Apps has provided a map of Wisconsin barns for readers making the scenic driving tour." (Korina Cornish, ForeWord Reviews)

“Amid wonderful illustrations and photographs, Jerry Apps has added beautiful prose about barns and the people who built and used them. This updated Barns of Wisconsin is a real treasure and presents a wonderful historical perspective on a state icon.” (Larry Meiller, Wisconsin Public Radio)

“More than a book about barns, Apps offers us a unique lens through which to view the rich textures and constant changes in Wisconsin rural life. Barns of Wisconsin is as lovingly crafted as the iconic structures that are its subject. This new edition helped me discover more about my own barns and more fully imagine the lives of those who built them.” (Dena Wortzel, Executive Director, Wisconsin Humanities Council)

“Jerry Apps’ new edition of Barns of Wisconsin is outstanding! In this new book Jerry systematically examines many aspects of barns—from their origins to their adaptations for continuing use. His approach will be interesting and informative to the barn owner, the history buff and the preservationist. The inclusion of abundant color photographs to back up the text makes the book doubly interesting. Barns of Wisconsin will also be a useful reference for preservation groups all over North America and a model for future publications. I’m glad I have a copy.” (Bill Kimball, professor emeritus, Michigan State University, and active member of the Michigan Barn Preservation Network and the National Barn Alliance)

“In Barns of Wisconsin, Jerry Apps has given a voice to rural Wisconsin's architectural elders and the stories they have to tell—stories well worth remembering." (Doug Miller, Executive Director, Folklore Village)

“Jerry Apps brings these old barns back to life and keeps them breathing by telling their stories. They are all unique representations of the many different heritages that were brought to Wisconsin, such as the German designed stone barn in the Town of Chase. Jerry gives these old barns a voice and takes you back in time to experience the hardships and joys of life on the farm as if you were there.” (Christopher Jaworski and Kristin Kolkowski, Chase Stone Barn Committee)

"Barns are the 'heartbeat' of a farm family's heritage, values, and dreams. Jerry Apps has captured their stories and the need for preservation." (Dr. Clarence C. Olson, Emeritus Professor, University of Wisconsin Dairy Science)

2010 Finalist in the Regional Category from ForeWord Magazine’s Book of the Year
2011 Silver in the Great Lakes Best Regional Non-fiction Category from the Independent Publisher Book Awards
2011 Finalist in the Regional Non-fiction Category from National Indie Excellence Awards
2011 Finalist in the Regional Non-fiction Category from Next Generation Indie Book Awards