Just off U.S. 80 West at Woodrum Road, a bit of history is being preserved. One of Bulloch County's largest mule barns, once a part of the Paul H. Johnson farm, is being restored. A barn dance and dedication for family and invited guests will be held Saturday.
According to Carrie Johnson Welter, daughter of Paul Hines and Minnie Brock Johnson, the farm played a significant role in Bulloch County agribusiness during the early 1900’s. She and husband Dave Welter have begin the first phase of restoring the large barn.
After Saturday's private dedication and barn dance, the Welters will speak the following Monday, Oct. 20 at the Bulloch County Historical Society's noon meeting at RJ's Steaks and Seafood.
Welter said her husband has done extensive research on Bulloch County's early farming history and envisions preserving part of that history for future generations by restoring four existing structures on the farm, then replacing four previous structures, designing them using early photographs of the farm.
When the barn restoration is complete, a number of mule-drawn implements that were found in the barn (that were refurbished as well) will be on display for visitors' enjoyment, as well as other farming tools and artifacts. Two tractors and various equipment that were used on the Johnson farm are expected to be restored as well.
The pecan orchard that surrounds the farm buildings is about 100 years old, and still produces nuts. The Welters maintain the orchard, as well as tend a vegetable garden and fruit trees, exemplifying how early farms were self-sustaining.
Most farms in the 1900's grew sugar cane, and a cane mill found in the barn will be reassembled, as well as constructing a syrup shed, Welter said.
When completed, the farm restoration will be a valuable and educational part of Bulloch County history as well as a beloved home for the Welter family, who consider the old farm buildings and pecan orchard "a pastoral retreat".
According to Carrie Johnson Welter, daughter of Paul Hines and Minnie Brock Johnson, the farm played a significant role in Bulloch County agribusiness during the early 1900’s. She and husband Dave Welter have begin the first phase of restoring the large barn.
After Saturday's private dedication and barn dance, the Welters will speak the following Monday, Oct. 20 at the Bulloch County Historical Society's noon meeting at RJ's Steaks and Seafood.
Welter said her husband has done extensive research on Bulloch County's early farming history and envisions preserving part of that history for future generations by restoring four existing structures on the farm, then replacing four previous structures, designing them using early photographs of the farm.
When the barn restoration is complete, a number of mule-drawn implements that were found in the barn (that were refurbished as well) will be on display for visitors' enjoyment, as well as other farming tools and artifacts. Two tractors and various equipment that were used on the Johnson farm are expected to be restored as well.
The pecan orchard that surrounds the farm buildings is about 100 years old, and still produces nuts. The Welters maintain the orchard, as well as tend a vegetable garden and fruit trees, exemplifying how early farms were self-sustaining.
Most farms in the 1900's grew sugar cane, and a cane mill found in the barn will be reassembled, as well as constructing a syrup shed, Welter said.
When completed, the farm restoration will be a valuable and educational part of Bulloch County history as well as a beloved home for the Welter family, who consider the old farm buildings and pecan orchard "a pastoral retreat".