Historical Anna Dean Farm walking tour returns

Photos by MAGIC CITY AERIALS

The 30th Anna Dean Walking Tour is 2 p.m. Sunday, May 31 at the Piggery in Barberton.

By CHRISTINA McCUNE
BGNN managing editor

BARBERTON Magic City history buffs and O.C. Barber fans – and architecture and barn enthusiasts in general – may want to break out their most comfortable walking shoes for the return of a popular event May 31.

Barberton Historical Society is organizing the 30th annual Anna Dean Walking Tour. The walk is within a one-mile distance and the tour is also driveable from point to point.

In the past, the walking tour of the remaining buildings of city founder O.C. Barber’s private estate, welcomed anywhere from a few hundred to 1,000 people.

The historical society is bringing back the tour for the first time since before the COVID-19 pandemic. Residents and visitors to the city may have driven or walked past the iconic piggery at 248 E Robinson Ave. – O.C. Barber’s huge pig barn and the first on the list for the walking tour – and wondered about its history or what it looks like inside. The spotlight will shine once again on the unique architecture
of this barn and other structures on the Anna Dean Farm beginning at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 31 at the Piggery.

The tour is expected to take about 21/2 hours. The tour is free and open to all ages and people can come and go. People are welcome to take photos.

Parking is available at the Piggery, which will open at 1 p.m. that day and there will be a gallery of photographs on display of the farm.

The Barberton Historical Society has printed 13 books and some will be sold at the event. The historical society is still preselling O.C. Barber’s “Anna Dean Farm – the Story of an American Farm.”

At 2 p.m. the walking tour begins with a focus on the architecture of the farm, how the buildings were built, what O.C. Barber had in mind, and what inspired him, said Bob Snyder, president of the Barberton Historical Society. He said he expects the walking tour may resume annually and different themes will be explored each time. In the past, different aspects focused on have included the general purpose of the farm, Barber’s treatment of animals – not to worry, they were treated very well – and different departments and how the farm was run as a business.

One of the founders of the historical society, Stephen Kelleher, previously conducted the tours for years before he passed away. Snyder presented them in more recent years. Snyder will have a sound system and will speak about the history at each location. Snyder said all ages will enjoy the tour and he hopes younger generations will learn about the buildings and farm and local history.

Barber is known for pioneering farming techniques and he had demonstrations of mechanized farm equipment at the farm during a time as farms were transitioning from horse-drawn plows to automated farm equipment using internal combustion engines.

Snyder said the Chicago Expo of 1893 inspired Barber’s vision. “Barber-esque” architecture that is seen at the historical buildings or Beaux Art was a dominant architectural feature of the United States at the turn   of the century.

“After his close friend and partner John Kelly Robinson died suddenly he took his architect to Europe to copy what he liked in buildings and architecture and he particularly liked the castles of Bavaria,” Snyder said. “That’s where the towers for the silos where the inspiration came from and the clay tile roof. He thought that farm buildings should be permanent, beautiful and uplifting to the community.”

Barber incorporated living quarters in each of the farm buildings for the caretakers, Snyder said.

Keep an eye on the Barberton Historical Society’s Facebook page for updates. Also, www.annadeanfarm.com has photos and information about the farm and buildings including a virtual map of the estate.

According to the Barberton Historical Society, here are addresses to existing Anna Dean Farm locations:
• Barn No. 1: 115 Third St SE, (this is a private business)
• Brooder Barn: 112 Second St.
• Colt Barn: 740 Austin Drive
• Creamery: 365 Portsmouth Ave. (private residence)
• Heating House: 360 Robinson Ave.
• Poultry Manager’s Office and Feed Barn: 139 Second St SE (private residence)
• The Piggery: 248 Robinson Ave.
• Wishing Well: Between 1153 and 1154 Mansion Drive