Side Roads: Anchor a memory

A barn is like an anchor for those who make their living from a sea of rolling fields.

It is a place of shelter for livestock, and also a shield from the elements for the tools of the farmer's trade.

Old barns, worn, even dilapidated, display character and draw forth a poignant wistfulness. Once, they were filled with the sounds of life on the land. Their lofts were stuffed with hay, and in the evenings, there was the comforting, contented sound of animals munching their supper before dozing off in the darkness.

The barns of rural Jackson County are fading into the past, as the face of farming changes and the landscape with it.

That's a fact that hasn't gone unnoticed by people interested in preserving memories of barns, past and present, by preserving the structures' images.

"The barn has been the center of American rural life for centuries," states a press release from the Jackson County Fair Antique Building Committee. "Barns stood for harvest and hard work. The barns are fading from the landscape, victims of their age, the expense of maintaining them and their lack of practical purpose."

That's why the committee will sponsor a photography contest this year with the theme of "Jackson County Barns," says Karen Terrell, who is chair of the Antique Building, along with co-chair Carolyn Robison.

"The theme (for the Antique Building overall) is ‘Pride in our past, faith in our future,'" Terrell said, with the photography contest display serving as an added feature for the building.

The committee is urging people to preserve a favorite barn in a picture to share with visitors to the fair and to keep for future generations to see. Terrell said photos also could be submitted that had been taken in the past of barns now no longer standing.

Contest rules:

All entries must depict a barn located in Jackson County.

The entrant must include his or her name, address, phone number and location of the barn in the photo on a 4x5 card with each entry.

Prints must be no larger than 8x10, framed or on mount board. The winner will receive a prize, and the picture will be featured in the 2009 Fair Book.

Bring all entries to the Antique Building at the fairgrounds from 9 a.m. to noon July 18 or 19. All entries will be displayed in the Antique Building during fair week.

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Persinger is community editor for The Tribune. She may be reached at (812) 523-7063 or jpersinger@ tribtown.com.