The North 40 Barn
Audubon, Iowa
The North
40 Barn
The North 40 Barn
An Iowa Family Heirloom, Audubon, Iowa
In 1916, Ben and Rose Deist, together with Rose’s three sisters, the Krottinger sisters and brother Walter, left Texas to settle back home in Audubon County, Iowa. Ben purchased a farm just north of Audubon. There they built a life rooted in hard work, faith and family. The farm site had an existing post-and-beam Monitor-style barn, likely built around 1910, its lifted center designed to invite fresh air in and let warmth drift out - keeping the hay dry and the space alive with purpose.
For decades, the barn stood as a quiet witness to the rhythms of farm life, seasons changing, family growing, stories unfolding. It sheltered cattle, milk cows and pigs. But as time passed, the beloved structure began to show its age. Though the family did all they could to preserve it, the barn could not be saved. Still, pieces of its story endured. Some of its original wood was lovingly kept and later became the foundation for a hand-crafted miniature replica by Faded Timber Studio - a tribute to all it once was.
A Shared Memory
Dianna Sheehy remembers the barn with deep affection, especially the story passed down about its color. Her grandfather Ben once painted it a bright, striking white, a change captured in old aerial photographs. But her Aunt Nonnie Krottinger had a different vision - she believed a barn should be red. In the end, Nonnie’s wish prevailed, and a young Dianna was enlisted to help transform the barn back to its traditional red, brushstroke by brushstroke.That cherished memory now lives on in the back side of the miniature barn. Through this creation, Faded Timber Studio hopes to spark not only conversations, but a renewed sharing of stories - so that the spirit of the Deist family, and the barn that sheltered their lives, continues to be remembered for generations to come.
Preserving the Barn in Handcrafted Form
The handcrafted sculpture of the North 40 barn was created to keep the memory of a grand barn standingEvery detail of the original building - from its distinctive cupola to its weathered surfaces - has been carefully interpreted in wood to reflect the passage of a century of farm life.
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
- Approximately 5” x 5.5” footprint, 4” tall
- Sits on base of the actual barn wood from the original barn
- Fully handcrafted wooden replica, scaled to capture the character of the original structure
- Weathered cupola and roosting pigeons
- Partially painted back side with ladder, paint bucket and brush shares a story
- Hand-finished surfaces reflecting a century of weather and harvest seasons
Why Barns Like This Matter
Barns such as the North 40 barn 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.
Built From What Endured.
Preserved For Those Who Remember.
Built From What Endured. Preserved For Those Who Remember.