The Saline Reporter
A Heritage Newspaper
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Barn named tops
Sutherland-Wilson barn honored as Barn of the Year
By Sue G. Collins, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: April 12, 2007
A lovely old gal in Pittsfield Township was honored last month for her unique style, historical significance and willingness to serve others.
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She's been an important part of the township since 1850 and recently proudly enjoyed a major facelift.
She is the Sutherland-Wilson barn, the stunning red structure located on Textile Road, west of State Road, honored by the Michigan Barn Preservation Network as one of three Barns of the Year.
Doug Woolley nominated the barn for the award and has worked on the renovation since the township inherited the 4.6-acre homestead from Harold Wilson, who also left one-third of his estate for the property's historic preservation.
Wilson, whose family lived on the farm for six generations, asked that the funds be used to create a tribute to farm life and the area's settlers 1850 through 1900. More than $130,000 has been spent so far on the barn's restoration, and renovation continues inside the house and on the property.
The treasurer for the Pittsfield Township Historical Society and a long-time supporter of the township, Woolley was thrilled about the award. He said there is still much work to be done before the barn's formal dedication in August. The historical society is selling commemorative bricks for $100 up to $1,000 to help fund the renovation. The bricks will line a pathway to the sloping front entrance of the barn.
Woolley said they hoped the site would to complement historic Rentschler and Cobblestone farms, which were both in Pittsfield Township before annexed by Saline and Ann Arbor, respectively.
The historical society is working in cooperation and with the support of the Pittsfield Township Historic Commission, said Commission Chairman Tom Dodd. He said there are donations and contributions coming from residents and historians to complement the exhibit.
Woolley noted Betty LeClair, president of the historical society, and her husband, Don, have worked very hard on the site and that volunteers will be needed this spring and summer to plant the garden, continue with carpentry work on the house and outbuildings, and to clean up the site for the August dedication. Community members are encouraged to call Woolley at 971-0124.
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