Historic Star Barn to be
Moved to
New Lebanon County Site
MIDDLETOWN
—
The historic Star Barn will soon have a new home in central Pennsylvania, just a short
drive off the Interstate-81 Grantville exit where many passing motorists may still be able
to see it at its new location.
The Star Barn will be the center attraction for Agrarian Country, a new agriculturallythemed
destination conceived and planned by Dr. Robert S. Barr, President.
Barr announced in December 2007 that Agrarian Country purchased the historic Star
Barn now located in a land-locked site in Lower Swatara Township, Dauphin County,
from Preservation Pennsylvania, the non-profit group that helped preserve the landmark
barn for many years.
Barr is now announcing that he found a new home for The Star Barn - a 300+-acre site
in East Hanover Township, Lebanon County, accessible from Interstate 81. Barr signed
an agreement of sale on the parcel of land that is within one mile from the Penn
National Race Course.
“We are pleased to inform the public that The Star Barn will live on for generations to
come and that it will become the centerpiece and icon of a showcase for Pennsylvania
agriculture, highlighting our rural heritage and the importance of agriculture to the
Commonwealth,” Barr said. “The Star Barn will be preserved as it looked in 1872 and
then utilized as a public building for concerts, dinners, shows, a tourist attraction, and a
community theater. The Star Barn is listed as a National Historic Landmark with the
National Register of Historic Places.”
Barr made the announcement at a news conference Tuesday at the present site
of The Star Barn. He said that the land under The Star Barn and its ancillary buildings
would be sold after the move. He made the first public acknowledgement of his plans at
the East Hanover Township supervisor’s meeting held Monday night (June 30).
Agrarian Country, a nonprofit organization, was established to preserve Pennsylvania
farmland and farm buildings and to provide a place where people of all ages can visit
and/or participate in the operation of numerous agricultural enterprises in a real-life farm
setting. Through farmland preservation and hands-on agricultural educational activities,
Agrarian Country hopes to rekindle interest in America’s agricultural heritage and a selfsufficient
way of life, and provide a refreshing escape from everyday stresses.
Agrarian Country plans to operate numerous agricultural enterprises as part of its
educational experience. In addition to The Star Barn complex, early plans include a
horticultural center and botanical gardens, a Faith, Farm, and Family Museum, a 1906
restored chapel, and a park where community events can be held.
“We have some ambitious plans for Agrarian Country,” Barr said. “Planning is
underway for the dismantling of The Star Barn and its ancillary buildings, expected to
begin in early 2009. The schedule will be finalized this fall.”
Barr said the landmark nineteenth century Star Barn will be re-erected by the Timber
Framers Guild using 1872 construction methods. This includes the use of oxen, mules,
draft horses, and early period tools.
Each barn beam will be labeled with a steel plate as it is disassembled so that expert
barn restorers and builders can precisely reassemble it. Barr said he plans a 10-day
barn-raising festival that will include a Civil War reenactment, a music festival, and an
agricultural foods festival.
He said interest has been shown in documenting the dismantling and re-raising of the
landmark barn by both local and international filmmakers. Barr plans to spend the next
several months lining up financing for Agrarian Country from both private and public
sources. Those interested in volunteering and donating to the project can make contact
at www.TheStarBarn.com.
