(Originally Written For The Log Homes Journal) 

Being as this is a log homes journal; a site that tries to wrap it’s arms around all that comes along with log cabin/outdoor living, I try my best to bring something new and different to the table everyday. Since we spoke about all natural cleaning products yesterday I thought it would be a cool to go in the other direction today and spotlight an on going restoration that could use a helping hand.

 

The Peltser Housebarn located in Franklin County Missouri is history buff’s dream. Built in the Civil War era by a German immigrant named William Peltser, the structure is now owned by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Now in doing my research  I realized I had zero idea of what a housebarn actually is. Apparently the idea was brought over from Germany and is quite simple; people new to this country and those exploring the west didn’t have the ability to build a fully functional house and barn, so they combined the two to form a multi-leveled housebarn. Stables, cellars, granaries would be on the main floor with other levels containing bedrooms, the kitchen, and other rooms for weaving, lounging, etc.

 

The Pelster Housebarn just happens to be one of only twelve left in the U.S. and is in desperate need of restoration. Thanks the Friends of the Pelster Housebarn a non-profit organization committed to saving the home, the porch has recently been completed. As you may suspect this isn’t something that comes cheap and with the need to save this historic one of a kind monument, comes the task of finding volunteers and funding.

 If you would like to help the Friends of the Pelster Housbarn, they can be contacted at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Housebarn/