A Bit of a Mystery - What was it Really Used For?
We’ve always wondered exactly how this building was used during the original Red Star Farm days.
It’s larger than most traditional chicken coops, though the lower front wall still shows clear signs of access hatches for collecting eggs. Beyond that, it raises more questions than answers — whether it housed more chickens than usual, served multiple purposes, or simply gave the farm extra working space.
The stonework closely matches the Rock Barn, suggesting it may have been built around the same time — possibly even by the same stonemason known locally as “Old Nick.”
Life After the Farm - A Building that Adapted over Time
After the original farm years, this space took on a number of new roles for our family.
It became a workshop for everything from crafts and stained glass to woodworking, and even doubled as a play space — complete with a wood-burning stove to keep it warm through the winter.
At one point, it was fully functional and well-used… until a storm spooked a cow that managed to break in and leave quite a mess behind — one of those unexpected farm moments you don’t forget.
The Chicken Coop Through the Years
Restoration in Progress - Preparing it for What’s Next
Recently, we’ve begun restoring the structure — clearing it out, removing deteriorated materials, and addressing the aging roof and windows.
The immediate goal is to make it solid and weather-tight again, protecting it from the harsh Midwest elements and preserving what’s already here.
Beyond that, we’re starting to imagine what it could become. With its size, structure, and character, it could one day be transformed into a small, unique space to stay — a quiet place on the farm with a story behind it.