Huron County View

DIY Thumb barn tour now available through new app




Gothic Arch Roofed Barn, located off Sand Beach Road east of Bad Axe, is part of multiple stops in a new Thumb barn tour. (Photo by Seth Stapleton)

Gothic Arch Roofed Barn, located off Sand Beach Road east of Bad Axe, is part of multiple stops in a new Thumb barn tour. (Photo by Seth Stapleton)

UPPER THUMB – The Michigan Barn Preservation Network has come up with a unique way to help people get out of the house and enjoy the beautiful sites and scenes across the Thumb area.

The organization – with a mission that embraces the appreciation, preservation and rehabilitation of Michigan barns, farmsteads, and rural communities – recently announced its do-it-yourself, drive-by barn and color tour into the Thumb, using a free app called Map- N-Tour. The tour is called the MBPN Thumb Barn/Color Tour.

To take part, participants download the app to their phone or tablet.

“We are kicking off the 2020 barn tour for color-season,” said Stephanie White, Architect and MBPN Board Secretary. “The Thumb Tour will continue to be available into the future. This pandemic, and the importance of participating in experiences in a safe manner, has the MBPN continuing our annual traditions and exploring new approaches to keep Michigan barns on our radar”

A virtual tour can also be viewed on computers on the MBPN website at www.mibarn.net. Descriptions, photographs, directions and near-by sites of interest are provided in both the virtual tour and the app.

The Map-N-Tour app is a free download, and there is no charge to participate.

The tour is comprised of twelve suggested stops that include drive-by private barns, as well as public venues such as museums and markets for participants to get out and explore.

Stops in the MBPN Thumb Barn/Color Tour include:

• Thumb Octagon Barn, 6948 Richie Road, east of Gagetown

• Pioneer Log Village Barn, 205 S. Hanselman St., in Bad Axe

• Gothic Arch Roofed Barn, 3574 Sand Beach Road, east of Bad Axe

• Frank Murphy Museum, 142 S. Huron Ave., in Harbor Beach

• Grice Museum Complex, 865 N. Huron Ave., in Harbor Beach

• Port Austin Farmers Market, 17 W. State St., in Port Austin

• Empkie Barn, 7541 N Vandyke Road, south of Port Austin

• Port Crescent Barn, Port Crescent Road, south of Port Austin

• Hygienic Dress League Barn, 52 Stoddard Road, south of Port Austin

• Emergency Ark, 3598 Fehner Road, between Port Austin and Caseville

• Secret Sky Art Barn, 5201 N. Pinnebog Road, outside of Kinde

• Caseville Museum, 6604 Main St. in Caseville

People can check out the MBPN Thumb Barn/Color Tour virtual tour at www.storyroadmichigan.com.

More information and step-by-step guidance is available at the MBPN’s website.