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The Ellis Barn
Historic Ellis Barn now at Springfield Oaks County Park
At its new home, the Ellis Barn represents a significant period of Michigan's agricultural and transportation history and provides unique educational opportunities. Constructed in 1884, the barn features a true gambrel roof.
This grand barn, previously located on Dixie Highway in Clarkston, was part of the 78-acre Ingomar Stock Farm owned by Norman J. Ellis. The Ellis Barn is the only Michigan barn referenced in the nationally renowned book, The American Barn. Ingomar Stock Farm was recognized by the Michigan Historical Commission as a Michigan Centennial Farm. This designation is given when land has been in the same family for 100 years or more. The barn was also named Barn of the Year in 2003 by the Michigan Barn Preservation Network.
At its dedication in 2005 at Springfield Oaks County Park, Dorothy Ellis, granddaughter-in-law of Norman J. Ellis, who commissioned the construction of the barn, recalled how six generations of the Ellis Family have loved and valued the local landmark.
"The neighbors teased [Norman] that his home was so much bigger than his barn. He remembered a barn he had seen in Maine on his travels. All the lumber was cut in Maine and shipped to Michigan by railroad. A crew of 18 lived with the family while they built the barn in 30 days," she added. "The capital for the barn came from stud fees for Ingomar, for which the farm was named." Ellis also said that Ingomar, a black Percheron stallion, was purchased for $2,000 in 1882, which translates into $250,000 by today's standards.
The 14,000 square foot barn includes an indoor riding arena, 11 box stalls, tack rooms, an office, horse exercise room, mechanical exercise ring and a cavernous second floor for hay and straw. 
RBI 33 LLC, a real estate investment company owned by former major league baseball players Kirk Gibson and Tim Birtsas, purchased the land in 2001. Realizing the historic significance of the barn and related buildings, the duo donated them to the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission along with a $75,000 donation to assist with barn relocation and rehabilitation. 
The joint Oakland County Parks/Road Commission project utilized a $600,000 Transportation Enhancement Grant through the Michigan Department of Transportation, to hire an ex-amish barnwright from Indiana to inventory, dismantle and reconstruct the barn - board by board - from its birthplace to Springfield Oaks County Park. 
The barn's preservation will be an important educational tool. "This link to the past can educate about farming, the hands-on lifestyle the county's forebearers lived and serve as a focal point for rural recreation experiences," said Parks Commission Chairman Pecky D. Lewis, Jr. at the barn's 2005 dedication ceremony. Park staff will be able to take youth on a journey into our agrarian past and will provide a link to Michigan's Transportation History and the changes that have shaped our landscape."
 The barn adds to the ambiance of the Oakland County Fair that welcomes more than 90,000 visitors to Springfield Oaks annually. Tours of the barn are a now a regular feature of the fair and are an important part of park interpretive events such as The Ellis Barn Festival and the Girl Scout Horse Badge days. With continued rehabilitation the Ellis Barn will be able to host historical displays and educational programs.
The barn will also be the site of one of the first Equestrian Trailheads in Oakland County and will link to recreation lands throughout the area by the trail network "Oak Routes."
Members of the 4-H Gardeners Restore Our World club (GROW) along with Michigan State Extension Service Master Gardeners, have taken on the project of establishing an 1800s Heritage Garden around the Ellis Barn. In 2006 the group planted sample plantings in whiskey barrels as a preview and beginning of the future garden.
In addition to the Enhancement grant, many agencies and individuals contributed either monetarily or with in-kind services to the preservation project. A Friends of the Ellis Barn organization was established to raise funds and secure donations for rehabilitation projects including flooring improvements and modifications to improve accessibility, as well as the reconstruction of the historic barn cupolas. More information about Friends of the Ellis Barn can be obtained by contacting the RBI Companies at 248.623.2222.
Accolades
The Ellis Barn restoration project has garnered several awards:
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Parks & Recreation Facility Award, National Association of County Parks and Recreation Officials
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Special Tributes from U.S. House of Representatives (Mike Rogers, Congressman) and the State of Michigan (John P. Stakoe, State Representative)
More photos of the Ellis Barn Restoration Project
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