George Hansen Corn Crib
Gray, Iowa
George Hansen Corn Crib
Gray, Iowa
The George Hansen Corn Crib
Cameron Township, Gray, Iowa, Audubon County
Filled with Corn and Character
A hard working part of the family farm in Cameron Township, Iowa, the George Hansen corn crib represented the blessing of harvests and a hope for the future. George loved his farm and his family, worked long hours and could often be heard singing hymns as he chored.Once a familiar structure on Midwestern farms, this wooden corn crib was built with both function and efficiency in mind. Its gambrel roof provided expanded overhead space, while divided bin areas on either side allowed for the organized storage of drying ear corn. The open center bay offered access for loading and unloading, often serving as a sheltered workspace during harvest. Common in the early to mid-20th century, these buildings reflect a time when farms relied on practical, well-crafted structures to manage and protect their yield. This sculpture captures that balance of utility and character, with weathered wood and time-worn details that speak to seasons of use and the quiet work of the farm.
George Hansen with granddaughter Linda in 1947.
A Purposeful, Thought-out Design
Corn cribs were designed specifically for drying corn on the cob. The slatted walls allow air to circulate freely through the corn, ensuring it dried thoroughly.Corn cribs were filled from the top with an elevator which usually required back breaking shoveling to feed the ears from the wagon onto the long elevator. The stored corn was later used for feeding livestock or ground into cornmeal.
Preserving the Corn Crib in Handcrafted Form
The handcrafted sculpture of the Hansen corn crib was created to celebrate the simple beauty and character of the wooden grain bins that were once a common site along our country roads.Every detail of the original building—from its slatted side walls to its weathered surfaces—has been carefully interpreted in antique copper and wood to reflect the passage of generations of farm life. The crib sets on a section of an old barn beam.
These sculptures are not simply models. They are heirloom works of art designed to preserve the memory of barns that shaped the landscape and the families who built their lives around them.
Details of the Sculpture
- Grain Bin approximately 4” x 5” footprint, 6” tall, old barn beam base 5.25” x 7.5” x 3.5”
- Fully handcrafted wooden replica with 100 year old copper roof, scaled to capture the character of the original structure
- Weathered grain cart
- Spilled corn ears and a hungry mouse bring up old memories
- Hand-finished surfaces reflecting decades of weather and harvest seasons
Why Barns Like This Matter
Old structures such as the George Hansen grain bin represent more than agricultural architecture. They stand as reminders of the work, innovation, and perseverance that built family farms across Iowa.Though time eventually changes every farm, preserving these structures through art ensures their stories remain part of the Midwest landscape.
Preserve Your Barn's Story
If your family farm once had a barn that deserves to be remembered, consider preserving it as a handcrafted heirloom.
Begin your barn commission today.
Built From What Endured.
Preserved For Those Who Remember.
Built From What Endured. Preserved For Those Who Remember.