Brief History
The barn was built shortly before or after the present covered bridge was built in 1862. It served the farm needs for hay storage, animal stalls and cover for equipment. The barn also provided temporary shelter for wagons and their teams passing through en route to the Sierra mines and the Nevada Territory.
In late 2005, Donna Jones, California State Parks Museum Curator, gave an illustrated talk and tour of the wagons being stored in the barn, to Bridgeport docents and volunteers. After hearing Donna's vision of one day providing a suitable viewing area to showcase these wagons, a group of interested South Yuba River Park Association volunteers gathered to form an exploratory committee. The group called themselves The Barn Stormin' Committee, and began immediately to develop a plan to clean and prepare the interior of the barn to display these important wagons and other valuable artifacts. Work was done by park docents and volunteers, state parks maintenance staff, and additional volunteers brought together by the Penn Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Barn Restoration Project
This barn restoration project began in January 2006 and is near enough to completion that a grand opening was held to celebrate this progress and guide visitors through the barn and historic wagons for the first time. The restoration will provide an interpretive exhibit of transportation through Bridgeport, and the public display of historic wagons, a hay press and hay fork. The interpretive center theme is: "Bridgeport, a vital transportation link on the shortest historic trans-Sierran wagon route." It was made possible by private donations of these items over several decades to the California State Parks Archeology, History and Museums Division, Museum Initiative Unit, and by financial grants and private contributions.
The Current Barn Stormin' Committee
Don Denton, Chairman
Diane Marten, President, SYRPA
Jean Wilson, Secretary, SYRPA
George Tilley, Treasurer, SYRPA
Caroline Lashbrook, Assistant Treasurer, SYRPA
Mike Smittle, Park Ranger
Coordinators:
Interpretive Panels: Dick Alexander, Barbara
Brueckner,
Dave Macdonald, Steve Pauly and
Chuck Scimeca
Construction: Bill Haselhorst, assisted by many
Bridgeport
docents, volunteers and community
members
Community Outreach: Judy Nichols and Howard Voshell
Grants and Institutional Donations: Betty McCown and Dennis Monax
Historical Resource Advisor: Chuck Scimeca
Publicity and Photography: Herb Lindberg
California State Park Liaisons
Ron Munson, Superintendent, Sierra
Gold Sector
Donna Rea Jones, Regional Interpretive Specialist, Cultural Resource Division
Bill Lindemann, Interpretive Specialist, Sierra District
Judith Polanich, Museum Curator II, Sierra District
Steve Moses, Chief of State Parks Maintenance, assisted by
Pete Flewelling, Restoration Specialist, and
Rob Cairns, Maintenance Supervisor
South Yuba River State Park Staff
Jeremy McReynolds, Supervising
Ranger
Jeremy Alling, Park Ranger
Wayne Deese, Park Ranger
Jennifer McCallen, Park Ranger
Mike Smittle, Park Ranger, and
Kahn, K9 Park Ranger
Marc Wetherbee, Park Ranger
Becky Quigley, Visitor Services Park Aide
Mike Humphrey, Park Maintenance Assistant
Brody Haymaker, Park Maintenance Aide
Ribbon cutting by Hank Weston and park leaders, holdup by Black Bart, sing along.
Living History activities: barn, gas station, hot dogs and treats, gold panning, wagon rides.
Wagon rides, barn tours, Mary Lindberg and Craig, cute kids.
We also give thanks to the many volunteers who put on this wonderful day of activities:
The South Yuba River
Park Association Board of Directors
The Penn Valley Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
Ranger Mike Smittle, Liaison to the Barn Committee
Gold Panning Demonstration: Doug Leach
Barn Tours: Dick Alexander and Hal Tiegs
Special Program Chairmen: Jim and Sue Vardon, assisted by
Steve Pauly, Doug Leach, Wallace Kronland, and Ranger Wayne
Deese
Decorations: Donna Brown, assisted by Carolyn and Bob Winters,
and Kurt Chitlock of Ridge Feed and Supply
Publicity and Photography: Herb Lindberg
Invitations: Ranger Jennifer McCallan
Refreshments: Don and Linda Denton
Music: Rick Toles, Patty Pauly, and the Wildwooders Barbershop Quartet
Wagon Rides: Rock-n-Horse Ranch
Apple Pies from Arlene's Pantry of Penn Valley
Rick Toles
Rick Toles (Alkali) Entertains as festivities begin.
Patty Pauly
Patty Pauly joins Alkali to play a duet
District Interpretive Specialist
District Interpretive Specialist Bill Lindemann and wife relax before the program begins.
Museum Curator
Museum Curator Donna Jones and Nevada County Supervisor Hank Weston meet as Diane Marten looks on.
Gold Rush Period Farm Equipment
Gold Rush period farm equipment on loan for the day.
LWW Barbershop Quartet
Wildwooders Barbershop Quartet performs for "grandstand" of visitors.
LWW Barbershop Quartet
Closer view
Master of Ceremonies
Don Denton, Barn Stormin' Committee Chairman, serves as Master of Ceremonies.
Ranger Mike Smittle
Ranger Mike Smittle introduces State Parks Museum Curator Donna Jones.
Donna Jones
Donna explains importance of the barn and wagons history, supported by Bill Lindemann.
Susan George
>Wider view of scene as Susan George (past President of the Penn Valley Area Chamber of Commerce) speaks.
Importance of Historic Barn
Susan George emphasizes the importance of the Historic Barn to the community.
Diane Marten
Diane Marten, sparkplug for barn restoration as South Yuba River Park Association President.