Maasdam Barns plans summer, fall events

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.

The newer pole building on the grounds houses some of the barns’ larger items but is also used for a demonstration area for small farm equipment and tools. This year, there are added hands on demonstrations for young and old alike. It is also used for meetings and school field trips.

The Southeast Iowa Draft Horse Association meets on the grounds regularly and provides demonstrations often during the tourist season. Check the website to see what’s planned at https://jeffersoncounty. iowa.gov/barns/.

A new feature at Maasdam Barns is the addition of a Vintage Playground featuring Louden-made playground equipment. Among the highlights of the playground is the recently acquired Louden Whirl-Around. The Whirl-Around was a sought after item, with castings proudly showing the Louden name.

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. The committee has an 8-person electric golf cart, so that generations of a family can visit the barns together, and walking distances won’t be an issue.

“Our board works continuously on grounds improvement, from building repairs to clearing fence rows and improving waterways to tree and plant management,” said Maasdam Barns Historic Preservation Committee Chairman President Tony Webb. “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 2023 that the whole family can enjoy, such as:

May 13: Babies at the Barns. The South East Iowa Draft horse club will bring baby horses along with other baby animals.

June 10: Escaramuza Quetzalli - Mexican synchronized horse riding from Des Moines. This group has been featured at the Iowa Horse Fair for several years.

July 15: Annual First Responders Appreciation Picnic. This picnic is a way to say thanks to all First Responders in Jefferson County. The Jefferson County Cattlemen's Association and Jefferson County Pork Producers will be serving. Donations will go to local first responders.

Sept. 8: Barnyard Bash: This is an event of the Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce featuring local businesses.

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.

Additionally, residents and guests can look forward to seeing horses at the barns on the second Saturday of the month from May through October. Those dates are: May 13, June 10, July 8, Aug. 12, Sept. 9, and Oct. 14.