Every barn has a unique story to tell. It’s waiting to be discovered during the annual DeKalb County Barn Tour!
The DeKalb County Barn Tour is a one-day driving tour of barn sites within DeKalb County hosted by the DeKalb Area Agricultural Heritage Association, Inc. and the JF Glidden Homestead & Historical Center. The tenth annual DeKalb County Barn Tour will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, in Sycamore and Cortland townships. This unique event allows visitors to take in the history, sights and sounds of the county’s historical farmland. Participants will receive a map and guidebook containing hand-drawn sketches of each barn as well as the barn’s history, style and use.
The self-guided/driving event includes a guided tour at each of five barns and one carriage barn: the Johnson Barn on Bethany Road, the Quigley barn on Quigley Road, the Theis Family Barn in Maple Park, the Dayton Barn and Dandy Don’s barn both on Old State Road, and Emma’s Carriage House on Somonauk Street. Barn owners are on site to answer questions and share stories.
Admission is $40 per carload. Visitors can move at their own pace, and photography is encouraged.