Wheeler Farm Activity Barn
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Address
6351 South 900 East, Salt Lake City, Utah 84121
Year Completed
1990
Historic Information
National Register
Building Type
Location Area
Thru out Salt Lake County
Architect:
Firm/Partnership
Project Description
Today the Activity Barn is used as a gathering place that hosts events such as parties, weddings, and educational events. The balcony of the barn displays historic farm tools, buggies, and other small farming items that had been used throughout time.”1 Additionally, a newspaper article, which spoke with Dr. A. Glen Humphreys, curator and director of the complex during the time of construction noted that the barn had been designed to “conform to the look of the farm’s turn-of-the-century buildings… The new center was needed to provide increased service to some half million visitors which come to the farm each year.”2
In an article from The American Wood Council: Wood Design Award Program, 1991, noted that “Heavy, rough saw timber preserves the integrity of the 1903 dairy operation served by this community activity barn at Salt Lake City’s Wheeler Historic Farm. The new multipurpose visitor center and museum, located within walking distance of the original farm buildings, provides a transition in time and space. Inside, a second level wrap-around deck and soaring trusses look down on large, open, hard maple dance floor. The barn also boasts contemporary offices, a kitchen and a gallery, yet retains a turn-of-the-century authenticity.”3
A contract document from Astle/Ericson & Associates documented the work of the Activity Barn as follows, “The work consists of the construction of a 9.864 square feet, 2-story with facility designed to house exhibits and multipurpose activities for the Wheeler Historic Farm.”4
Sources
1. “Wheeler Farm Activity Barn,” from Waymarking, accessed June 14, 2016, www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMBKPZ_Wheeler_Farm_Activity_Barn_Salt_Lake_City_Utah.
2. “Correspondence, 1990,” Newspaper article from unknown newspaper, unknown date and unknown author, Construction Slated for Visitors’ Center at Wheeler Historic Farm, from The Neil L. Astle Papers, accn 1930, box 77, folder 10. From the Special Collections and Archives Department, J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.
3. The American Wood Council: Wood Design Award Program, 1991, “American Wood Council Wood Design Award Program, 1991,” from The Neil L. Astle Papers, accn 1930, box 106, folder 3. From the Special Collections and Archives Department, J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.
4. “Wheeler Farm Project Manual, 1989 (Part 1)” Wheeler Farm Activity Barn, A Salt Lake County Project, Project number 88 2323, June 14, 1989, in The Neil L. Astle Papers, accn 1930, box 75 folder 11, pg. 01010-1. From the Special Collections and Archives Department, J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.
5. “Wheeler Farm Activity Barn,” Waymarking, accessed June 14, 2016, www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMBKPZ_Wheeler_Farm_Activity_Barn_Salt_Lake_City_Utah.
