Olof Swensson Farmstead – Granite Falls Township
The Swensson Farmstead barn, which has housed a museum for the Chippewa County Historical Society since it was bequeathed to the organization in 1967, is the largest museum-quality barn restoration in the state’s history. The building’s deteriorating condition led the historical society to undertake a $266,000 public and private fundraising program in 2000 to restore its structural stability and historic integrity. Today the barn, which features a granite foundation and notched post and beam construction fastened with wooden pegs and square nails, is in its original condition and open to the public. The restoration project architect was Claybaugh Preservation Architects, Taylors Falls.
