The Bicentennial Barn at 50
Leelanau Bicentennial Barn, south & east sides, taken 1976 by Jim
I grew up on the Leelanau Peninsula, and one thing that looms especially large in my memories of America’s Bicentennial celebration in 1976 is the Bicentennial Barn on M-22. A Glen Arbor Sun article on the Bicentennial Barn says (in part):
A press release sent to news media in 1975 by Noble D. Travis, Chairman of the Leelanau County Bicentennial Commission, explained the original project: “The Commissioners enthusiastically endorsed the presentation of “Shalda Barn ‘76” (which is the painting of a full-size barn with heroic murals) by Arlen and Sally Ramsay of The Leland Gallery.
The Ramsays’ proposal had six specific points that contributed to its endorsement. First, it involved many people from all parts of the County. Second, it would be a lasting patriotic landmark. Third, it would be supported at little or no cost to the Commission by people who will share their resources with us. Fourth, the real benefactors would be the young people who actually make it happen. Fifth, it has the earmarks of being one of the state’s most outstanding tributes to our forefathers and the ideals of most Americans. Sixth, the condition of the barn and its location, on M-22 at County Road 669 in Cleveland Township, were perfect.” With the approval of then-owner Mrs. Lewis Shalda, a huge community effort followed, but the project was carried out primarily by teams of art students from each of the county’s public schools under the direction of their art teachers.
Mr. Ramsay’s original design featured “two wind-blown flags, a historical map of the County, a portrait of George Washington; the south end of the barn shows the pioneer spirit of sharing the historic bounty of “The Little Finger,” and the today spirit of winter’s fun and summers blessing. He has integrated the silo into the design by painting it as a clump of trees, some with maple syrup buckets, and others with burnished red leaves that camouflage the red silo roof.”
Although the paint on the barn faded over the years, new owners of the barn were able to repaint the barn which was named the Barn of the Year for 2026 by the Michigan Barn Preservation Network (photo below) “This gambrel roof, timber-framed bank barn measures 30’ x 45’ with two massive 12’ sliding doors on both the front and back. For the past 50 years, this iconic barn has been known as the “Bicentennial Barn” with murals painted on it in 1976 to celebrate the nation’s 200th birthday.”
Jim took these photos way back in 1976. See more in his excellent M-22 gallery on Flickr.
