Wisconsin Barns: Touchstones to the Past

“Big wed barn! See dat old big barn?” my two-year-old cried as this DVD began, proving that classic wooden cow palaces are recognizable by the youngest. Pointing out that wooden barns have gone “from workplace to relic,” filmmaker Tom Laughlin's Wisconsin Barns briefly discusses the economics of agriculture, the decline of family farming, and the pressures of suburban sprawl and development, in interviews with farmers, historic preservationists, building renovators, and barn owners. While there is mention of the different architectural styles of barns (Dutch, Norwegian, English), no illustrations show how each differs from the other, and while viewers will see a rare round barn in excellent preservation, no explanation is given why that efficient shape became popular for a time in American history. The program does, however, present some creative examples of adaptive reuse, ranging from a “party barn” for teenagers to a silo refitted as a planetary observatory. While there are enough animals, tractors, pickups, and scenery to entertain the youngest viewers, this overview would be more appropriate for pre-teens and older. Recommended, especially in rural areas and particularly in the Upper Midwest. Aud: I, J, H, C. (R. Reagan)