Penn State has granted a request to delay demolition of the Kepler barn in Ferguson Township until Sept. 30.
On June 11, the Historic Barn and Farm Foundation of Pennsylvania wrote to the university requesting an extension to Sept. 30. Previously, until June 30, but the foundation said it is making progress on efforts to come up with a preservation plan but needed more time.
According to Priscilla deLeon, president of the foundation, stakeholders across the state, including historians, architects, community members, nonprofit leaders, university alumni and several members of the Penn State board of trustees who have expressed support.
性视界传媒淭he more people we talk to, the support to preserve the Kepler barn continues to grow,性视界传媒 she said.
What should Penn State do with the Kepler barn?
The circa 1818 barn, which is near the entrance to Ag Progress Days on Route 45, was purchased by Penn State in 2006.
It is one of three barns the university owns that are scheduled to be torn down.
Penn State released the following statement in regards to the Sept. 30 extension: 性视界传媒淭he university received an extension request this week from the Historic Barn and Farm Foundation of Pennsylvania to provide them more time to seek alternative solutions for the Kepler Barn. Through direct communications with the foundation, we have granted them their requested extension through the end of September and will be working with them on next steps.性视界传媒
Now that the extension has been granted, deLeon said work will continue on developing a plan to preserve the barn, and a fundraising campaign will be launched in the near future.
性视界传媒淲e性视界传媒檙e very pleased that Penn State is taking our effort seriously. Everyone is working very hard on this, and we性视界传媒檙e optimistic a solution to preserve the barn will be achieved,性视界传媒 she said.
Vicky Kepler Didato, whose family owned and operated the farm for generations, said she was overjoyed about Penn State's decision to grant an extension and called it a win-win for everyone involved.聽
"Now the truly difficult work begins in finding a nonprofit to help oversee the preservation process and fundraising. There is so much potential in this project to benefit not just the Centre County region, but the entire state of Pennsylvania and the farming community," she said.聽
聽In the foundation性视界传媒檚 letter requesting the extension, which was signed by deLeon and fellow board members Chris Witmer, Chris Macneal and Curtis Vreeland, an update was provided on the preservation effort.
性视界传媒淲e are growing a network of individuals who would support fundraising activities to identify a fiscal sponsor who would become the new owner or lessee,性视界传媒 according to the foundation性视界传媒檚 letter. 性视界传媒淥ur progress to date is measurable and accelerating.性视界传媒
Since Penn State purchased the barn in 2006, the structure has fallen into disrepair, but foundation members and other experts believe it can be restored.
The date 性视界传媒1818性视界传媒 is engraved on the wooden sides of the barn, and it was used by several generations of the , who was one of the few female farmers in the state at the time, having taken over the farm after her husband, Aaron, died in 1929.
Millie Kepler ran the farm for decades and received awards and recognition from USDA and other organizations.
Members of the Kepler family believe the farm, and possibly the barn, based on stories passed down through generations.
Previously, William Sitzabee, the Penn State性视界传媒檚 chief facilities officer, stated in a letter to the foundation that the university性视界传媒檚 current budget challenges, the condition of the barn, projected costs of restoration and the operational needs of the Rock Springs research farm are factors necessitating removal of the Kepler barn.
