DOOR COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) – A non-profit group has their eyes set on preserving a Door County landmark after securing over $1 million for the project.
Horseshoe Bay Farms, a farm complex located just south of Egg Harbor, has a preservation plan set in place by Horseshoe Bay Farms, Inc.
Andy Gill is on the Board of Directors and he says there’s just too much history to pinpoint exactly what makes it so special.
“Everybody kind of picks something different when they walk into this barn that they really get attached to,” he explains.
The farm buildings may be old, but they were built to last.
“You can see the craftsmanship that went into this barn was pretty amazing,” says Gill.
And with the history and craftsmanship comes plenty of hidden wonders.
You could spend hours in here, just looking at different bits of woodworking, and structures,” he says
The large grey and white barn, which holds a lot of history, is the farms most iconic structure and the group wants people to be able to experience it.
Beyond the main barn, there are ten other buildings on the eight-and-a-half-acre site.
With such a large property the group needs to first identify needs and then prioritize their objectives going forward.
For now, they remain in the beginning stages after securing the money for the project just last month.
“I think first and foremost, it’s just making sure that it’s safe for people to be in,” he says.
The farm has operated as a dairy, a cattle facility, and most recently, a cherry and apple orchard all in the last century.
Gill says buying the property was the first and most crucial step, while restoring the property could take years.
Some possible future plans for the site could include hosting tours, school groups and other public events.
