We literally opened the barn door to a select group of community members who came to learn about the history, restoration and conservation values of the 100-yr old historic Octagon Barn.  The tour was offered as a course through The Land Conservancy's partnership with the Cal Poly Continuing Education - Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.  We also invited our members to attend this special event which is currently not available to the public. About thirty people joined us for the tour, which was the first of its kind, and were treated to special lectures from: Brian Stark, Executive Director Bob Vessely, Volunteer Restoration Engineer Ed Carson, Barn Historian, Restoration Volunteer & Land Conservancy Trustee BK Richard, Land Conservancy Trustee Plans for the Future: Complete the remaining three sections of roofing using special shingles Secure a potable water source for the barn Create visitor access to the sight so the public can enjoy what we have restored To do these tasks and others we need to raise an additonal $200,000 to meet our needs. $30,000 just for the remaining three panels of roofing  We are targeting mid 2009 for completion of this wonderful project With your help we can make this happen. Make a Donation to the Land Conservany of SLO Today More Information:: Read our Octagon Barn Fact Sheet to learn more about the Octagon Barn.  Also, check out photos of the event below - or - view our slideshow of the dramatic Octagon Barn restoration process. Thanks to photographer BK Richard & Margaret Nash.
Brian Stark explains the tremendous restoration work undertaken by volunteers to save this historic structure.	Looking up at the cupola from inside the barn.
Ed Carson shares the historical uses of the barn and tells about the previous families that owned it (and even lived in it!)	Brian describes the agricultural, scenic and local importance of the unique 100 year old barn, formerly used as a dairy barn.
Bob Vessely, a local civil engineer specializing in historial buildings, explains the restoration techniques he used for such a unique architectural structure.	A picture of the barn BEFORE The Land Conservancy took over the effort to preserve and restore it.   AFTER re-pouring a concrete foundation, rebuilding the walls, stabilizing the structure inside & out, repositioning the cupola and painting the entire barn - all that is left to fully restore the barn is the replacement of a few more roof panels.  (Planned for completion in 2007 pending financial donations.)