Century-old barn takes trip for historic preservation purposes

NORTH BETHLEHEM TOWNSHIP, Pa. — It took practically all day for a century-old barn to travel less than half a mile in Washington County.

“It’s a historic barn,” said Washington County Historical Society Executive Director Clay Kilgore. “It’s actually been on the historical society’s radar for a while. Wanting to make sure it got saved.”

“It’s pretty wild there’s a barn coming behind me,” said Amy Ross Manko. “There’s a guy behind me with an iPad driving a barn!”

This barn once stood at the corner of Routes 40 and 519. It was built by Amy Ross Manko’s great-uncle in the early 1900s, which was also around the same time her great-grandfather was building her farm, the Ross Farm.

“The barn always sat there on the corner, and when we lost ours last February, the first thing I said was, ‘Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could have Uncle Charlie’s barn?’” said Ross Manko. “It just means the world to us being able to replace the barn that we lost with another barn that could have been lost.”

Flames tore through Ross’ historic barn last February. 150 sheep died in that fire. It was a devastating loss.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> 150 sheep killed in barn fire at historic Washington County farm

“It’s been really hard since the barn burnt to just keep a positive outlook,” said Ross Manko. “There’s been a lot of crying, and today, for a change, it’s happy tears.”

It took about six months to make this possible. Utility companies even helped out to make sure the overhead wires didn’t get in this barn’s way. Integrity Construction & Design also assisted with the process.

“Keep the legacy rolling with Ross Farms,” said Integrity Construction & Design Owner John Perry. “Once in a lifetime experience.”

For the Ross Farm, it’s all about preservation.

“Everything with us is historic preservation,” said Ross Manko. “We raise 18 different breeds of heritage and rare breed sheep as well as miniature Mediterranean Donkeys on the farm. And we work with the Livestock Conservancy for all of these different rare breeds. Preservation has always been really important to us so preserving this historic structure it just means the world to use being able to replace the barn that we lost with another barn that could have been lost.”

The Ross Farm also shared an update on its sheep. Since the fire, one lamb has been born, and they expect it to be a very good spring.

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