Our Red Barn HQ at Oshkosh is about a century old. It had been remodeled and expanded at least three times since we inherited it in 1973. While we have kept it good looking, the basic structure of the original barn was badly in need of major repair. Look carefully at the first photo. Click the image to enlarge. Can you see the recent changes?
Through the generosity of two major donors, the National B-Plane Association and Vintage Chapter 11, we have enough funds on hand to completely restore the original barn as well as expand it and modernize the interior to better serve our members and guests during AirVenture.
BECOME A FRIEND OF THE RED BARN TODAY.
Details here.
At the moment our Red Barn looks just like a “building” on a movie set – perfect front view and noting else. The roof was sagging. Structural supports were rotting at the bottom.
You can see from the image below that our contractor has removed the roof and gutted the building, and is now in the process of constructing new structural walls to hold new roof trusses. The original outside walls will then be secured to the new structure and a totally new roof installed.
As a part of this project, the barn will be extended further to the west with a new entrance facing Vern Avenue where the majority of visitors first encounter Vintage. Old-timers will remember when the flat-roofed Charging Center used to be our volunteer kitchen. That building has far exceeded its useful life and will be removed.
While our contractor is completing the majority of work on the Red Barn, our maintenance crew headed by Chairman Mike Blombach and Co-Chair Wayne Wendorf will be constructing a new Charging Station building which will also be located to the west of our newly-restored Red Barn.
Work Weekends are scheduled for the weekends of April 21-23, May 19-21, and June 23-25. If you want to have a great time at Oskhosh without all the crowds, join us for one or more of these work weekends. We provide food and housing if you need it. We work hard but have a fun time doing it. You can contact Mike here if you wish to join us. Join us and have it all.
We will continue to report on this project and others as things develop in Oshkosh.
BECOME A FRIEND OF THE RED BARN TODAY.
Details here.