1903 Chase Stone Barn
The small rural Town of Chase (population 3005) is working hard to raise funds to preserve one of the last surviving all-fieldstone barns in the country. The stone barn was built in 1903 and is on the State and National Register of Historic Places. In 2007, the Town of Chase purchased the stone barn so they could protect it and make it the focal point of their new Chase Stone Barn Park. Once restored, the town will start the next phase of their project, which is to make the stable area into a rustic museum which will educate people about the early settlers from the area, and also about the geology of the stones. The town would eventually like to hold events inside the barn. The Stone Barn Committee is currently in the last leg of their fundraising campaign. If they can raise $287,000 by June 30, 2012, they will receive a grant of $143,000 from the Jeffris Family Foundation in Janesville, WI. To date they have risen over $204,000, but still have a long way to go to reach their June deadline, which is fast approaching. Being awarded this grant will help the town get closer to their goal, and also bring much needed attention to the project. Wisconsin has lost over 83% of the original barns that once dotted our scenic landscape - the very symbol of Wisconsin. This is not just about preserving an old barn - it's about preserving an important part of Wisconsin history and paying tribute to the hard working men and women that helped build this great state. The National Trust for Historic Preservation has been helping guide the town with their project since 2006. They are hopeful that once this preservation project is complete, it will be an example for other communities across the state, and beyond. Thank you for considering our application to help preserve a cornerstone of Wisconsin history. For more information about the Chase Stone Barn, please visit www.townofchase.org, and also search "Chase Stone Barn" on Facebook.
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