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Story of the
Barn
The barn was built by Jack Dahmen in 1935 and used as a
dairy barn until 1952 when Steve and Junette Dahmen bought the property. Both
Steve and Junette have had an interest in fine art for years. Junette has been
working as an artist since the early 1980s, and Steve has made a public display
of his artistic skills by building the wheel fence over a 50 year period. It
all started with his building a gate of rake tines, and after friends began
contributing wheels the fence quickly grew. Says Junette Dahmen in a history of
the wheel fence, "Every wheel has a story from the smallest to the biggest.
There are wheels from every kind of machine, an antique baby buggy, threshing
machines, push-binder wheels, sidewinder or delivery rakes, old hay rakes and
gears of every kind, large and small." Today the fence exhibits over 1000
wheels. Steve also designed the antique weather vane and installed it on the
barn roof in 1990, and fashioned some metal "greeters - a farmer holding a
pitchfork and nippers, and a wire eared dog as you approach the entrance to the
barn. The barn and the surrounding fence have become a landmark attracting
artists and photographers from afar. Its image has appeared in many
publications, including National Geographic.
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The Uniontown Community
Development Association (UCDA), a 501c(3) non-profit corporation governed by an
11 member board of community volunteers, had set up a public development
authority to do a similar historic renovation project in Uniontown, the Sage
Baking Company, in 2002, and the Dahmens liked the result. So, without heirs,
and not having the ability to maintain the structure, Steve and Junette donated
the barn to the UCDA in 2004 with the stipulation that it be stabilized,
maintained and put to a community use.
UCDA carefully considered
options for the use of the barn. An economic development consultant hired by
the Town of Uniontown in 1995 reported that an art and craft retail operation
should do well in town, so the possibility of an art center was explored. The
Palouse is known to have many, many talented people working at their arts and
crafts in their homes, with little way to market their products, so the board
of directors took on the challenge. Junette Dahmen, an oil and watercolor
artist, was thrilled.
A feasibility study was done, and the board found enthusiasm
for the idea, so work began in earnest. Constructive Solutions was hired to
work on the design of the interior space of the building. The exterior was to
remain as close to original as possible because of its historical significance.
The wind had swayed the barn to the east and the north over the years and the
foundation its west side was effectively non-functional. A creative solution
was needed to bring the leaning structure back to plumb, and to stabilize it.
Fearless Engineering from Missoula, Montana, took that challenge and came up
with a beautiful system that allows the vaulted roof of the barn to remain
untouched and intact inside. It is a piece of artwork in itself.
 The first task was to clean out
the old barn. It had decades of pigeon droppings on the second floor and lots
of old, broken equipment. The floor, which was several different concrete
levels for dairy barn use, had to be removed. This work was done by very
dedicated volunteers. Board vice-president Gene Dixon began a photo documentary
of the project during the clean out phase.
Marv Entel of RESSCO, local general contractor, rolled up his
sleeves and began the reconstruction. Marv had worked with UCDA on the Sage
Baking Company project. Dale Miller, president of UCDA, used his grant writing
skills to obtain many tens of thousands of dollars for the project. These funds
were added to the private donations of cash, labor and materials to get the
project done. The facility has no mortgage thanks to the help of many, many
people, agencies and organizations. This was truly a labor of love for this old
barn.
Special construction features in the barn include: a hot water
radiant heating system in the ground floor's concrete slab; two restrooms
designed to be fully accessible, and space for a future elevator. The
contractor volunteered his time to tear down two old deteriorating barns to
reclaim boards for finishing the interior of the Dahmen Barn. The ground floor
has the retail store, several artisan studios, classroom space and a restroom.
The second level has more studio spaces, another restroom, a kitchen for
tenants' use and the Hay Loft Hall which can be used for large gatherings. On a
third level, the space above the studios on the west and north sides is a
balcony.
The dream is not complete, however. There is a loafing shed
behind the barn that will house restored antique agricultural equipment some
day, and there is talk of holding outdoor concerts on the west side of the barn
where the audience will sit on the natural amphitheater encircled by the wheel
fence.
UCDA will be
active in developing and promoting the educational programs and performances
held at the barn in order for the participating artisans to be successful. A
Friends of the Barn foundation will be developed to sustain the facility long
term. The grand opening of the facility will be on October 1, 2006. Those who
attend will hear several music groups who will be playing concerts or dances in
the future, and will be able to see the work of many instructors of the first
year's classes. Junette Dahmen will draw the winning ticket for the quilt made
by Uniontown's master quilter Sharon Dixon. Sharon donated 275 hours to design
and construct the beautiful piece, which features palouse colors and the barn
itself in the center.
The management of the renovation work was provided
by Marvin Entel, RESSCO. LLC. Assistance was provided by:
- Atlas Concrete, Sand and Gravel
- Becker Insulation
- Bill & Juanita Kinzer
- Columbia Paint
- Dan Irby
- Dave Entel
- Dave Vincent
- Early Bird Supply
- E.H.S. Electrical
- E-Z Rentals
- Greg Entel
- Hahn Supply
- Inland Telephone
- J & J Construction & Design
- Lightening Heating and Cooling
- Maurice Moneymaker
- Mike Fauver
- Philip Entel
- Pullman Appliance
- Quality Concrete
- Rick Dudley
- Roach Construction
- Robert & Renee Larabee
- Robert Lane
- R & R Cable Company
- Sam Kimble
- Seaport Glass and Windows
- Shaun O'Kelley
- Steve's Welding
- Stewart Warner
- Tim McCarty Roofing
- Tom Heitstuman
- Touch of Glass
- United Rentals
Designers included:
- Constructive Solutions
- Fearless Engineering
- Elliott Engineering
A myriad of Uniontown community people donated over
3000 hours to get this ambitious project done.
Artisans at the
Dahmen Barn is located in southeastern Washington in the center of the
Washington/Idaho area called the Palouse. The Barn is on highway 195, 16 miles
south of Pullman, at 419 North Park Way in Uniontown, Washington. The barn is
open Thursday through Sunday from 10 to 6 with early closure at 4 January and
February. The phone number at The Shop at the Barn is 509/229-3414.
Web site and all contents © Copyright Uniontown
Community Development Association, 2006, All rights reserved.
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Uniontown Community Development Association.
Web site:
http://www.uniontown.us
email: info@artisanbarn.org |
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