08/15/2015
Ag Heritage Park roots-brief
Construction on the Dairy Barns with silos, a livestock barn, and two dairy farm residences (only one of which remains) was completed in 1929. The two silos adjacent to the Red Barn were not part of the original construction. However, to preserve the look and feel of original architectural and agricultural significance, these icons remained when the Red Barn was rebuilt.
Ag Heritage Park: How We Got Here
Preliminary Concepts: As far back as 1984, discussions were taking place on the Auburn campus about how to preserve the area that is now Ag Heritage Park. In 1991, the late Bill Johnson of Albertville, Alabama, donated to the College of Agriculture an extensive collection of antique farm and hand tools. In July 1992, then Dean James E. Marion appointed the Johnson Farm Tools committee to investigate opportunities for exhibiting the collection. (Note: Most of these items are currently on display in the Red Barn.) A proposal was submitted to the AU Administration for the establishment of an agricultural museum on the Auburn Campus; however, while the concept was supported by administrators, the State Legislature had already designated Landmark Park in Dothan as the State Agricultural Museum. Although interest was strong, a period of dormancy followed.
Ag Alumni Association Involvement: The AU Agricultural Alumni Association took up the cause and, in February 1998, adopted a resolution endorsing the proposal to establish the Auburn University Agricultural Heritage Park as part of the College of Agriculture. The Association committed to provide leadership in developing plans, securing funds, construction and operation of the Agricultural Heritage Park. Funding for the project was to be totally from private dollars and in-kind gifts.
Concept Approval by AU Administration: The concept of Ag Heritage Park was presented to the AU Board of Trustees for information and feedback in April 1999 as:
...an interesting concept that should add to the stature of the University as a Land-Grant institution....This project offers a unique opportunity to dramatically increase the visibility of the agricultural heritage of this portion of the campus while enhancing the teaching, research and outreach initiatives of the College of Agriculture.
In April 2001, the Auburn University Board of Trustees approved a phased implementation and funding plan for the AU Agricultural Heritage Park. With the first financial backing commitments of $1 million in place, groundbreaking was held in July 2001.
Director Hired: Robert Hensarling joined the staff of the College of Agriculture in September 2002 as Director of Ag Heritage Park.
Lawn Developed: The concept for developing the lawn area in front of the Dairy Barn came from an event planning standpoint. The existing landscape was a deep bowl shape and did not allow for safe and sufficient movement around the area. There was a strong desire for an open, multi-use area that would support a variety of different events while still providing an inviting green space.
About this time, the AU Athletic Department was beginning several turf renovation projects as well as beginning construction on the new track field. An arrangement was made with Athletics that proved to be very beneficial for Ag Heritage Park. As subsoil was excavated from the new track area, it was relocated to fill the front lawn area. Additionally, approximately 2,000 cubic yards of subsoil was moved on site to be used in later landscaping during construction at the Park.
As work proceeded toward replacing the turf at Jordan-Hare Stadium, an arrangement was made with the contractor, Sports Turf, to provide a work area at the Park for subsoil development. In return, Sports Turf cut, rolled and delivered sod off Plainsman Park for installation in the lawn area. These agreements provided an inexpensive, instant lawn that allowed events to be scheduled in the area within two months.
The first event to be held on-site was the 2002 Ag Roundup. Relocated from its former site of a parking lot on Ag Hill, Roundup continues to thrive at Ag Heritage Park, drawing over 1500 visitors on Auburn's Homecoming Saturday morning.
Beginning in 2005, a weekly summer farmers market has been held on the lawn each Thursday. Several spring and fall markets have been held as well. This has become a terrific outlet for area growers to make their wares available to the public while providing additional exposure for Ag Heritage Park.
Through diligent work and attention provided by the staff at Land & Resource Management, an annual turf maintenance program has been established to maintain and improve this site.
As exposure has increased, overall interest in the vision for the Park has increased.
Ag Heritage Park: Features
The Agricultural Heritage Park offers Auburn University the unique opportunity to present academic agricultural instruction and research to students and the community in an exciting and friendly way.
Some components are complete and planning is ongoing for other integral parts of the Park. It is expected that the Park will continue to be a dynamic site over the next several years. Additional features being considered include picnic pavilions, demonstration plots and a gin house.
The end result should be that Agricultural Heritage Park will become THE place for the agricultural community and others to gather for learning, fellowship and community activities.
Ag Heritage Park: Amphitheater
Arguably the most exciting feature at the Park is still in the planning stages. The Amphitheater is being designed as an adjoining structure to the Pavilion, set just to the north of the Pavilion and sloping down toward the pond. Seating will face southwest and should accommodate approximately 200. Preliminary plans include an earthen stage area.
Pictured below is the expected view of this venue.
Preliminary plans are still being considered for this facility which will be used for a variety of student programs, educational seminars, and special events such as music festivals, outdoor plays and community theater. The amphitheater will be made available for public rental. Initial estimates are $485,000 to $550,000 for construction.
Ag Heritage Park: Dairy Barn
Built in 1929, the original Dairy Barn's two wings contained two rows of 12 stanchions used as holding pens for milking activities. A small area off the connecting breezeway housed areas for straining, cooling and handling the milk. After each cow was milked, the buckets were manually carried from the milking area to the scales. As one former student commented, "the milking process gave you a real workout."
This facility was used as a milking barn until 1948 when a new research unit was built in North Auburn; however, teaching activities continued on site for many years.
Another student-centered work project took place in early 2009 as the AU Design Build Masters Program developed plans for renovation of this structure. Possible uses include a retail area, classrooms, and meeting facilities. As part of the process, students worked with Ag Land & Resource Management crews to gut the west wing of the Dairy Barn, reroof and stabilize this section until the next stage of this project is funded.
The AU Agricultural Alumni Association has launched a fundraising project for the replication of this structure.
Ag Heritage Park: Herdsman's House
The Herdsman's House is one of three houses constructed around 1929 and originally located in the area where the AU Athletic Complex now sits. No records exist to document their relocation to the present site; however, for many years, these houses were provided as on-site residence for personnel who tended the herd (dairy and/or bull test) and ran the dairy.
As the site transitioned to predominantly teaching activities, student employees were the caretakers of the animals. From 1998 to late 2002, the Herdsman's House became residence for the student worker(s).
After the house was vacated, renovations were initiated which included a new roof, window replacement, removal of carpet, floor refinishing, and repainting of the interior and exterior. The second phase of remodeling began in August 2004, thanks to generous gifts from Mrs. Kay Beaty and Mr. & Mrs. Farmer Meadows. Work included extensive kitchen renovations, interior repainting and updating of the restroom to meet ADA requirements. An exterior ramp at the back of the house was also added.
A reception was held in September 2007 to honor the Meadows family. At that time, the family was presented with a pictorial catalogue of various vignettes and items purchased and/or donated to furnish the house to period. Items showcased include a collection of shoe-making tools and many household and kitchen items.
Ag Land & Resource Management crews have landscaped around the house and worked to improve the lawn area, adding material to raise the elevation of the yard and putting in sod to improve drainage and usability. In addition, site-appropriate fencing was extended in front of and on the west side of the house to add definition to the area and provide greater opportunities for events. The efforts of staff to improve the beauty of the landscape witin AHP were rewarded with a presentation of the City of Auburns “Loveliest Village” award this past July, 2010.
The Alabama Farmers’ Pavilion- funds donated by ALFA
The Pavilion is a go-to site for variety of events and activities such as class reunions, wedding receptions, rehearsal dinners, banquets and commodity meetings. This facility includes banquet-style seating for up to 175, restrooms, tables and chairs, a catering kitchen, two large-screen televisions, and adjacent parking for up to 60 vehicles.
Weather permitting, the roll-up doors can be opened to accommodate a easy flow between indoor and outdoor activities. Of course, this also provides a more pleasant view of the Park.
Rentals are not available on major holidays or home football weekends.
Ag Heritage Park: Pond
Members of Ag Land & Resource Mangement crew constructed the 2.5 acre pond, a beautiful addition to the Park. It is now a regular resting spot for the area's water fowl.
The development of ponds and wetlands offers a unique opportunity for developing undergraduate and graduate student research projects in many different areas including horticulture, fisheries, agronomy and soils, biosystems engineering and entomology and plant pathology. The area around the ponds is providing a natural setting for gatherings of the agricultural community for fellowship and community development. AU Fisheries & Allied Aquacultures Department stocked the pond with fingerlings--sunfish, shell crackers, catfish and bass.
Ag Heritage Park: Red Barn
We are pleased to announce that the first antique tools and implements display has become a reality. Housed in the Red Barn, hundreds of items have been placed on the walls for optimum viewing with descriptive labeling systems. In addition, an indexed master list of all items will be available.
These pieces of history have been collected over the decades and donated to the College of Agriculture and Ag Heritage Park by James W. (Bill) Johnson of Albertville, Alabama; Pyron Keener of Montgomery, Alabama; Tom Dodd and Family of Semmes, Alabama; George (Jack) Clegg Farms in Marvin, Alabama and Fred Glaze of Prattville, Alabama. Each donor expressed the desire to have the displays open to all for information and educational purposes as we acknowledge our agrarian history.
Our thanks to staff at Ag Land and Resource Management for their work through the winter months on this project. Two Auburn Eagle Scouts also participated in this project, assisting with installation of the rough cut timber walls which provide an authentic backdrop for showcasing these collections.
Ag Heritage Park: Trail System
In July 2001, the AU Concessions Board provided a generous grant of $100,000 to fund the construction of the Ag Heritage Park Trail System.
The goal of the trail will be to serve the recreational needs of the campus community; provide recreational access to historic areas on campus by connecting Ag Hill, the President's Home, Memorial Gardens, the Arboretum and Vinery, the Old Rotation, the Athletic Museum and the Art Museum. The trail will be developed to provide handicap access while providing a prime area for a walking/workout path. The path will be well-lighted and will include public access to benches and picnic areas.
Preliminary plans for the trail offer one to two miles of walking trails creatively dipped and tucked along with straightaway’s, crests and dales to provide a stimulating and enjoyable walking course.
Ag Heritage Park: Wetlands
The Park Wetlands will be an extension of the demonstration pond and will be home to a variety of native wetland species. It is anticipated that a boardwalk will be put in place to meander throughout the one- to two-acre site.
Interpretive stations will be placed along the path for educational opportunities. In addition, there will be points of direct interactive contact with the Wetlands features as well as passive leisure opportunities. The Wetlands will be incorporated into a Park-wide trail system that will then transition into the campus-wide pedestrian trail system.
Funding for the Wetlands is being made possible through a generous gift from David and Susan Housel, honoring Mrs. Housel's 27 years as a public school teacher and her lifelong love of nature and wildlife.
In the fall of 2010, plans are under way to construct a lotus research display within the wetlands area that will become one of the first elements of this project.
Ag Heritage Park: Funding Opportunities
The following segments at Ag Heritage Park are funding opportunities for donor support. For more information, contact:
Dairy Barn Reconstruction
Herdsman's House Decking
Memorial Benches
Trail System & Maintenance
Gin House
Park Lighting
Parking & Roadways
Landscape Maintenance
Brick Courtyard
