History of the Farm Shed

Farm sheds (later sometimes called ‘tool’ or ‘machine’ sheds) in Wisconsin were common structures on most farms, evolving from essential 19th-century storage for manual tools and carriages into specialized, often prefabricated structures designed for mechanized farming, particularly with the rise of dairy and, later, the gasoline or diesel powered tractor. These buildings served as vital machine and repair shops, blacksmithing and carpentry, tool, equipment, and supply storage, and even at times served as granaries or specialized fruit or dairy storage, reflecting the state’s changing agricultural landscape and the need for durable storage to withstand harsh winters. As equipment and needs increased, so did the size of sheds.

This shed was built in the summer of 2020 using, in part, recycled lumber from the donated 1950’s hay barn. A $2,500 grant was obtained from the 2019 Farm Technology Days, plus $6,000 donated by Burt & Shirley Iverson. Additional donations of lumber, construction materials, money and labor were contributed by numerous local businesses and individuals. A full list of all contributors can be found posted inside the shed.