July 2004
 Rent Marshall County's Historical Barn
The Shady Rest Barn is available for rent by the public. Last summer major preservation work was completed to restore the barns masonry foundation, barn doors, siding, interior hay chutes, window louvers, exterior paint, and roof. The cupola, shown in this picture, was designed by Kurt Garner, B.A. Martin Architects and is a historical replica of the original cupola shown in a 1898 sketch of the barn.
Shady Rest is located at 10924 Lincoln Highway. The Shady Rest property was the original Marshall County Infirmary and the home and barn were placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000. As a former infirmary, this property and collection of buildings are unique.
The basement level of the barn has intact calf stalls and cattle stanchions, along with the necessary harnessing equipment for a dairy operation. The main level has built-in wooden ladders, window louvers, and enclosed hay chutes. An article from the Marshall County Republican newspaper dated 1898 states,
“The large barn is one of the best and most commodious in the county and with the smaller buildings adjoining, affords plenty of room for all stock, implements, grain and feed that may be accumulated on the place.”
Bowen Center received a grant from the Indiana Department of Historical Preservation and Archeology to help complete the preservation work on the barn with the support and collaborative efforts of the Wythougan Valley Preservation Council and the Marshall County Historical Society.
Bowen Center looks forward to sharing this grand, historical barn with the community. Surrounded by magnificent trees, spacious farm fields and ample grassy areas for outdoor party games, the Shady Rest Barn is ready to accommodate your next community event, business event, family get-together or other social function.
Experience has shown that dinner parties with entertainment can be very successful at the barn. The Indiana Landmarks Foundation hosted a dinner party at the barn and last summer the Shady Rest Barn Warming dinner was a success as well. Each event held a catered dinner with live entertainment and over 100 people in attendance.
The barn is equipped with electricity and lighting, and portable toilets. The historic ambience coupled with the majestic stature of the barn is unduplicated elsewhere.
For more information regarding rental options for your next event, please contact Marsha at Bowen Center: 1-800-686-6847 x2954 or stop by the Chamber and pick up a brochure! We look forward to seeing you at the barn! |
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