Historic Evergreen Ridge Stock Farm


Open House at the Maasdam Barns, Oct 7 & 8, 2011
Scroll down for more photos

The Maasdam Barns Preservation Committee invited the entire community to an Open House at the Maasdam Barns on Friday & Saturday, October 7 & 8, 2011.

The festivities included a public dedication of the Fairfield Loop Trail on Saturday by the Jefferson County Trails Council, after many years of planning, construction and hard work.

.
Open House at the barns.

.
Open House at the barns.

The Welcome Center and museum is in this refurbished house.
The Welcome Center and museum is in this refurbished house.

Displays, educational material, and tourist information is in the Welcome Center.
Displays, educational material, and tourist information is in the Welcome Center.

Three trophies won by Maasdam horses are here, as well as a gift shop.
Three trophies won by Maasdam horses are here, as well as a gift shop.

Now walk down the lane to visit the barns.
Now walk down the lane to visit the barns.

The Mare Barn, and the Show Barn behind it.
The Mare Barn, and the Show Barn behind it.

The shed and chicken coop, with the horse-sign in the foreground.
The shed and chicken coop, with the horse-sign in the foreground.

The sign has a lot of information on it.
The sign has a lot of information on it.

The Stallion Barn, where the stallions were housed.
The Stallion Barn, where the stallions were housed.

Two stalls, with thick bars and study walls.
Two stalls, with thick bars and study walls.

The Stallion Barn was upwind of the Mare Barn, to keep the stallions calm.
The Stallion Barn was upwind of the Mare Barn, to keep the stallions calm.

The Mare Barn, with the photo/sign in the foreground.  The photo is the actual size of the Belgian horse.
The Mare Barn, with the photo/sign in the foreground.  The photo is the actual size of the Belgian horse.

Four of Doug Smith's horses were in the stalls during the Open House.
Four of Doug Smith's horses were in the stalls during the Open House.

A very old wooden Louden Hay Carrier is explained by Larry Nash.
A very old wooden Louden Hay Carrier is explained by Larry Nash.

A newer metal Louden Hay Carrier is demonstrated.  This product led to the Louden Overhead Crane Division.
A newer metal Louden Hay Carrier is demonstrated.

The stalls on the south side have displays of horse-related items and Louden products.
The stalls on the south side have displays of horse-related items and Louden products.

.
More displays.

Catalogue pages from the Louden Machinery Company and Joel Turney & Company (wagon manufacturer),
two of Fairfield's largest employers in the early 1900's.
Catalogue pages from the Louden Machinery Company and Joel Turney & Company (wagon manufacturer), two of Fairfield's largest employers in the early 1900's

The Show/Milking Barn housed cows, and showcased horses for customers.
The Show/Milking Barn housed cows, and showcased horses for customers.

This large attached shed showcased horses.  Now it displays an original Turney farm wagon, and other farm items.
This large attached shed showcased horses. Now it displays an original Turney farm wagon, and other farm items.

This metal shed replaced the original display shed.  This is the west side of the barn itself.
This metal shed replaced the original display shed. This is the west side of the barn itself.

In the barn are Louden products brought here from other barns.
In the barn are Louden products brought here from other barns.

Like this Louden Litter Carrier, which became the foundation of the Louden Overhead Crane Division.
Like this Louden Litter Carrier, which became the foundation of the Louden Overhead Crane Division.

These Louden stanchions provided more comfort and mobility for cows than wooden stanchions did.
These Louden stanchions provided more comfort and mobility for cows than wooden stanchions did.

Belgian horses were brought here to show how they were used before tractors replaced them.
Belgian horses were brought here to show how they were used before tractors replaced them.

Plowing the field west of the barns during the Open House, Oct 8, 2011.  Three Belgian horses pull the first plow.
Plowing the field west of the barns during the Open House, Oct 8, 2011. Three Belgian horses pull the first plow.

Max, Mindy, and Sam belong to Doug Smith.  An old log was dislodged by the plow.  Tom Louden watches.
Max, Mindy, and Sam belong to Doug Smith. An old log was dislodged by the plow.

The two Belgian mules belong to Geoff Wilson of Ottumwa.
The two Belgian mules belong to Geoff Wilson of Ottumwa.

Later in the day two of the Doug Smith's Belgian horses pull a disc.
Later in the day two of the Doug Smith's Belgian horses pull a disc.

The Open House draws to a close.
The Open House draws to a close.

Goodbye.
Sunset.

Photos by Jeff Fitz-Randolph, Oct 2011


Historic Evergreen Ridge Stock Farm