Daily Newsletters
Account
Washington Evening Journal
111 North Marion Avenue
Washington, IA 52353
319-653-2191
Maasdam Barns continues to add new features
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
The historic Maasdam Barns at the Evergreen Ridge Stock Farm on South Highway 1 in Fairfield are a significant illustration of an early 20th-century draft-horse breeding business.
From 1910 until 1938, the owner of the farm, J. G. Maasdam, raised and sold award-winning draft horses. The three barns on the farmstead came to be known as the Maasdam Barns, since the owner and his family lived on the farmstead.
Newer buildings have been added through the years and are used to house larger farm related and early industrial item from the area. Several items are “hands-on” and visitors can use the items and learn about their purpose. There are open areas that are available for large groups and have been used for School field trips.
The Southeast Iowa Draft Horse Association meets on the grounds periodically and provides demonstrations often during the tourist season. Check the website to see what’s planned at https://jeffersoncounty.iowa.gov/barns/.
One of the newer features at the Barns is the addition of a Vintage Schoolyard Playground. It has several Louden made items including swing sets, teeter totters and Merry go Rounds. One of the Merry go Rounds is the Whirl-Around model. “This model was a highly sought after item for us at the Barns” stated Tony Webb, current chairman of the Preservation Committee. William Louden wanted to design a turnstile Milking parlor. This merry go round was an item made by the J.E. Porter company of Ottawa, Illinois, and in the early 1900’s, Loudens bought the factory to obtain the Patent rights! We recently acquired several more playground items from the former elementary school in Otley, Iowa and those items will be added as they are restored.
The Jefferson County Conservation Board, along with the Trails Council, have used the barns as the beginning or end point of the Annual Loop Trail Drive in October.
A new feature along the Loop Trail, facing the Jefferson County Health Center, is an 8’ x 32’ Mural. The Mural was created by a local artist, Katlynne Hummell Underhill, and it features several areas of interest about the Barns and the area including a nod of appreciation to Glenn and June Gorman, the farms owners after the Maasdam family. The Gorman’s daughter, Mary Helen Leathers, owned the farm at the time of the Preservation Committees formation and was instrumental in helping this area become the Venue it is. Mary Helen continues to attend events throughout the season!
“Our board works continuously on grounds and exhibit improvement,” said Webb.
New features are added throughout the year. We will be installing a recently acquired Louden Swing Crane this year in time to display it for the 2025 season at the all Iowa Barn Tour this Fall. “We are a progressive venue that has appeal to all ages, and we encourage you to visit.”
If you would like to be a more active participant, the committee welcomes all volunteers and have several areas that may interest you whether it’s research, public relations or hands on restoration. Visit Maasdam Barns’s website at jeffersoncounty.iowa.gov/barns or at the jeffersoncountyheritage.org site.
Maasdam Barns has a number of public events planned in 2025 that the whole family can enjoy, such as:
May 10: Babies at the Barns. The South East Iowa Draft horse club will bring baby horses along with other baby animals from area producers.
June 28: Escaramuza Quetzalli - Mexican synchronized horse riding drill team from Des Moines. This group has been featured at the Iowa Horse Fair for several years and competes on an international scale in Mexico.
July 12: New Event, Working Stock Dog demonstrations. Stock Dog trainers will be showing their Dogs herding abilities in our Fields and Paddock.
Sept. 4 or 11 2025 Barnyard Bash: This is an annual event of the Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce highlighting local businesses and our area farmers and agriculture industries.
October TBD: The annual fall trail drive. Residents will be given a chance to drive on a portion of the Jefferson County Trails System in their vehicles.
Plan your visits on the second Saturdays each month, May through October, and enjoy the activities! Area Horsemen and Women will be showing their Equine interests and sharing their knowledge of their Animals. The Maasdam Barns Preservation Committee and Volunteers look forward to your Visit! As with all Animals and outdoor event…unforeseen events can happen and may prevent or change a planned activity! Please check our website or the Official Maasdam Barns Facebook page for schedule changes!
