Lenox Round Barn, Round barn in Bedford, Iowa
The Lenox Round Barn is a circular grain storage structure in Iowa designed with practical innovations from the early 1900s. Inside, wedge-shaped grain bins radiate from the center, and the structure uses reinforced support beams arranged to withstand severe weather.
This structure was built between 1905 and 1907 by J.E. Cameron as an experimental farm building of that era. It was moved to museum grounds in 1998 to ensure its preservation and to make it accessible to the public.
This structure represents a time when farmers were willing to experiment with new building methods to improve their operations. The round shape itself signaled a departure from traditional rectangular barns and a willingness to embrace progressive ideas in agriculture.
The barn is located on museum grounds where you can view the structure and learn about its interior design and construction methods. The site sits in a rural area, so plan your visit accordingly and check opening times before you go.
The roof system was engineered to stand freely without interior support columns, creating a steep distinctive profile that is rarely seen in other farm buildings of that era. This engineering solution allowed the open interior space to remain completely unobstructed for storage and movement.
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