Why does an old barn matter?
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Why does an old barn matter?
The barn on the verge of collapse at the historic McConnell Farmstead on Broadway Street in Richmond is the threshing barn. Threshing barns were designed for separating grain from the chaff and stalk until machines took over this task.
William A. McConnell and his family built this threshing barn sometime after 1838. As his family expanded and moved, the threshing barn went with them—they carefully dismantled and rebuilt it twice.
“The threshing barn was constructed shortly after 1838 on the initial McConnell claim of 480 acres overlooking the Nippersink Creek. In 1852, the McConnell family moved south across Broadway Street . . . They took the threshing barn to the new farm and reconstructed it. In 1872, McConnell and his wife would move once again north across the street . . . they again took the threshing barn with them to be sited near its original location, where it stands today.”
(Historic American Buildings Survey, Library of Congress)
Today we learned that this historic threshing barn has been placed on McHenry County Conservation District's demolition list.
This loss is about more than one old barn. The threshing barn is part of the McConnell Farmstead, a nationally documented historic site that was also named to Landmarks Illinois "2025 Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois" list. That designation reflects the site's exceptional historical significance and the urgent need for preservation.
Historic preservation professionals use the term "benign neglect" to describe what happens when historic buildings are allowed to quietly deteriorate over time--until demolition appears to be the only practical option.
The question now is not just about one old barn. It is whether meaningful action will be taken to preserve the remaining historic buildings before they, too, quietly detioriorate to the point that demolition becomes the only practical option.
Once history is gone, it’s gone forever.
According to the McHenry County Conservation District, the 60-by-30-foot threshing barn on its W.A. McConnell Farmstead has “deteriorated to a point that it may fall." Built soon after 1838, it was moved across Broadway Road in 1852, and then moved back over in 1868. Pictured above (from left) show the building in 2018, 2025 and winter 2026. According to MCCD's 2020 Historic Structures Stabilization Report:
According to the McHenry County Conservation District, the 60-by-30-foot threshing barn on its W.A. McConnell Farmstead has “deteriorated to a point that it may fall." Built soon after 1838, it was moved across Broadway Road in 1852, and then moved back over in 1868. Pictured above (from left) show the building in 2018, 2025 and winter 2026. According to MCCD's 2020 Historic Structures Stabilization Report:
"Back in 1835, William Alexander McConnell became the first settler in Richmond. W.A. McConnel is credited as being the founder of Richmond although he was closely followed by a handful of other settlers. His first night was spent camped under the old oak tree that still stands near the house which is also a witness tree used by the surveyors in 1837 as a reference point. Shortly after William came to this tract of land, he built a log cabin for his family, consisting of his wife, Elizabeth, and their three sons, John, George, and A.B. Soon after arriving in 1835, he also built a large (for back then) hand-hewn barn that was used as a threshing barn for wheat, the primary initial crop in this area."
"Back in 1835, William Alexander McConnell became the first settler in Richmond. W.A. McConnel is credited as being the founder of Richmond although he was closely followed by a handful of other settlers. His first night was spent camped under the old oak tree that still stands near the house which is also a witness tree used by the surveyors in 1837 as a reference point. Shortly after William came to this tract of land, he built a log cabin for his family, consisting of his wife, Elizabeth, and their three sons, John, George, and A.B. Soon after arriving in 1835, he also built a large (for back then) hand-hewn barn that was used as a threshing barn for wheat, the primary initial crop in this area."
Round-Up Days return yields day of fellowship, history
Round-Up Days return yields day of fellowship, history
Thanks to everyone who joined us June 27 at Olde 90, for the celebration of America's 250th birthday and the return of Round-Up Days. The day featured a PowerPoint presentation on the Declaration of Independence, a metal-detecting demonstration by Jim Winter (facebook.com/driftlessdigger) and tours of the 1844 Charles G. Cotting House basement at 10328 N. Main St. (dubbed Olde No. 90). The energy and enthusiasm for local history was palpable, and a positive signal for what may lie ahead!
Board member Rommy Lopat readies "student" metal detectors.
Artifacts found by metal-detecting expert Jim Winter over the years. He even found a few items on site ... albeit far less exciting!
James Lewan, an experienced forensic engineer and owner of Chicago-based J28, LLC, completed a structural engineering report for the circa 1850 George Street bridge last fall, courtesy of Landmarks Illinois.
• Many deck boards are warped, cupped, damaged, loose or missing.
• The guardrails are bent or loose.
• While the limestone support walls generally are in good condition, there are cracks.
• The sill beams – believed to be cut from hearty southern yellow pine – are generally in fair condition. However, they show signs of age.
• Many of the fasteners between heavy timber members are corroded or missing.
• The most significant deterioration was “end grain” decay on the sill beams and stringer beams. Sill beams rest on top of the foundation walls. In bridge construction, stringers are lightweight, longitudinal beams that lie parallel to the bridge's length. They are the primary members the deck rests on.
Recommended repairs include:
• Replacing the existing corroded fasteners with new stainless-steel fasteners.
• Repairing the loose guardrail posts.
• Replacing the sill beams at both limestone stem walls and repoint the walls.
• Replacing half of the sill beams supporting the pedestrian extension to the north.
• Repairing half of the stringer beam ends.
• The bents –which transfer weight from the bridge's superstructure down to the foundation – are generally in good condition. However, there is decay at the top of the southernmost pile that requires repair. Piles are the long, vertical structural columns driven into the ground to support a bridge's foundation.
• Remove and replace the deck boards
• Remove and replace the portions of the pedestrian extension along the grade-supported approaches.
McConnell Farmstead among state's Most Endangered sites
McConnell Farmstead among state's Most Endangered sites
Landmarks Illinois has announced the 2025 Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois. The list calls attention to 10 culturally and architecturally significant sites across the state that face growing threats of disinvestment and demolition.
Find the full info here: https://www.landmarks.org/preservation-programs/most-endangered-historic-places-in-illinois/w-a-mcconnell-farmstead-2025/
The McHenry County Conservation District continues working on its Forward to 2040 Comprehensive Conservation Plan with a Vision to 2071. This plan will guide the district for the next decade ... and beyond.The McHenry County Conservation District and its consultant, Plainfield-based Upland Design Ltd., conducted public information sessions last month and on March 4 seeking comment on its “Forward to 2040” master plan and the future of the many historic structures the district owns.
The contract with Upland, at a cost not to exceed $226,360, includes an analysis of district lands and structures, three public open houses, a needs assessment, strategic planning and funding options and a resource analysis.
Upland will include suggestions on “sustainable building strategies and programs available to document relevant environmental criteria as it pertains to the built environment, existing structures, as well as any future building projects planned by the district.”
Wilbrant Barn (Review concept plans and contemplated renovation)
Camp Algonquin Recreation Hall (Review concept plans and contemplated renovation)
Weidrich Barn (historic / Review concept plans and contemplated renovation)
Powers Walker Barn (historic)
Kennedy House – Brookdale (historic)
McConnell Farmstead -North Branch (historic/Review previous plan + stabilization efforts)
The third Community Open House event will be from 5 -7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, at McHenry County College. Following public input, a final report will be delivered by February 2027.
McConnell Farmstead Threshing Barn Plans | Library of Congress
Why Does an Old Barn Matter?
Why Does an Old Barn Matter?
The barn on the verge of collapse at the historic McConnell Farmstead on Broadway Street in Richmond is the threshing barn.
William A. McConnell and his family built this threshing barn sometime after 1838. As his family expanded and moved, the threshing barn went with them—they carefully dismantled and rebuilt it twice.
Today we learned that this historic threshing barn has been placed on McHenry County Conservation District's demolition list. Click below to read the full story.
Thank You
Thanks to your generous donations, we were able to save Richmond's oldest standing building, Old No. 90, built by Charles Cotting around 1844. Initial preservation plans include stabilization of the foundation, as water along the sidewalk has caused detioration and movement.
Richmond, Illinois
Richmond, Illinois
A wooden bridge. A bonafide historic Main Street. An original farmstead. A life-giving creek. Working farms and silos. An oak tree. Centuries-old resting places marking those who have gone before us.
When pioneer William McConnell set his gaze upon the North branch of the Nippersink Creek after travelling from Pennsyvania, he quickly knew this was the place he wanted to call home and start his family. McConnell slept under an oak tree that first night. A carpenter by trade, he soon built a small log cabin next to the shallow winding creek, laid claim to a plot of land, and shortly thereafter married Elizabeth Bodine. While raising three sons, McConnell acted as postmaster, commissioner, and judge, along with founding the Richmond Bank and several other businesses. William McConnell was a prominent and busy man, but he always found time to give back to his community.
William McConnell passed away in 1887, but his legacy lives on in our community and in the original mid-19th century relics sprinkled in and around the town. Our quaint, unique village is known throughout the region for its historic buildings, unique character, and quaint charm not found in most other suburban Illinois towns. Mention Richmond to a friend, and you’ll likely hear a story about a special purchase at an antique store, a sweet treat from Anderson’s Candy Shoppe, or the old-timey charm of historic buildings that line Main Street.
The W.A. McConnell Foundation strives to honor the legacy that Richmond was built upon long ago. We invite you to join us in preserving and celebrating Richmond’s unique heritage.
Because the path to the future is paved by our past.
We're Growing!
We're Growing!
Together we can accomplish great things, but only if we are willing to get educated about the history of the Richmond/Spring Grove area. Those wishing to learn more about the foundation and its activities can sign up for our monthly newsletter HERE.
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