A Legacy of Art, Community, and Transformation
The Story of the Dahmen Barn
Built in 1935
In 1935, Frank Wolf built a barn in Uniontown for Jack Dahmen and his family, who operated a commercial dairy there until 1953. At that point, Jack's nephew, Steve Dahmen, and his wife, Junette, took over the property.
Steve and Junette were passionate about art. Junette has been an artist since the early 1980s, and Steve channeled his creativity into constructing a unique wheel fence around the property over three decades. It began with a simple gate made of rake tines, and as friends contributed wheels of various kinds, the fence grew to include over 1,000 wheels from various machines. "Every wheel has a story," Junette notes. Today, the fence includes everything from antique baby buggies to threshing machines, making it a captivating display of history and creativity. Steve also designed an antique weather vane installed on the barn roof in 1990 and created metal "greeters" at the entrance—a farmer holding a pitchfork and a dog with wire ears.
A Community Effort
By 2004, with no heirs and unable to maintain the structure, Steve and Junette donated the barn to the Uniontown Community Development Association (UCDA), a local non-profit. They asked that the barn be stabilized, maintained, and used for community purposes. UCDA, known for its successful renovation of the historic Sage Baking Company in 2002, saw the potential for the barn to become an art center, given the Palouse region's many talented but underrepresented artists.
A feasibility study showed strong support for the idea. Constructive Solutions was hired to design the interior, keeping the historic exterior intact. The barn had tilted over the years due to a failing foundation on its west side, requiring an innovative solution to restore it to its original condition. Fearless Engineering from Missoula, Montana, devised a system that maintained the barn’s vaulted roof and structural integrity.
Volunteers played a crucial role in cleaning out the old barn, which was filled with pigeon droppings and outdated equipment. Marv Entel of RESSCO, a local contractor, led the reconstruction, and Dale Miller, UCDA’s president, secured several hundred thousand dollars in grants. Thanks to community support, the barn was transformed without a mortgage.
Renovations
Renovations included a hot water radiant heating system in the ground floor slab, fully accessible restrooms, and provisions for a future elevator, which was installed in 2008. The ground floor now houses a retail store, artisan studios, and classrooms. The second level features more studios, a tenant kitchen, and the Hay Loft Hall for exhibits and events. The third level balcony provides additional display space.
UCDA fostered educational programs and events at the barn. In 2009, a separate non-profit was established to manage the Barn and its activities. The grand opening took place on October 1, 2006, showcasing local music and artwork. The centerpiece of the event was a quilt by Uniontown’s master quilter, Sharon Dixon, featuring the barn and Palouse landscapes.
A Need for Expansion
By 2011, the barn was bustling with activity, but space was limited. Architects Hutchison and Maul helped plan an expansion, focusing on the loafing shed behind the barn. The goal was to create more space for workshops, performances, and agricultural displays. With support from the National Endowment for the Arts and community donations, construction began in 2014. Mangum Construction built a 3,600-square-foot addition resembling traditional agricultural buildings but equipped with modern amenities.
Completing the Vision
The new addition, named "The Loafing Shed," was completed in early 2016. It includes a multi-purpose room, studio spaces, a commercial kitchen, and additional restrooms. Volunteers painted and stained the exterior, and funding from the State Building for the Arts program and USDA Rural Development provided for interior finishes and equipment.
By summer 2016, the new space was being used for concerts, workshops, and private events. A dedicated clay studio was established, offering classes for children and adults, and other studios were filled with artists working in various media. The culinary arts program began in earnest, using the new kitchen to host workshops.
In October 2016, The Loafing Shed was officially dedicated during the barn's 10th anniversary celebration. The project’s success is a testament to the community’s dedication and the Dahmen family’s legacy of creativity and generosity.
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