Darrel Zimmerman knew the community appreciated the historic red barn that stood proudly on his family farm in De Soto.But on Thursday he learned just how much the landmark meant to the community, to brides and grooms, children and even strangers. Hundreds called or came out to lend a hand after the barn was leveled by storms that moved into the area around 11 p.m. Wednesday.“I wasn’t too emotional about this last night until everybody started stopping by,” the 73-year-old said, as his eyes filled with tears.It’s easy to understand the pain Zimmerman felt. The barn dates back to the 1880s. In 1999 and 2000, Zimmerman rescued the dilapidated barn from another farmstead. Zimmerman, contractors and volunteers carefully deconstructed the barn and rebuilt it piece by piece at the new site. Community volunteers came out to help finish the historic structure, which stood on the Zimmerman farm at the intersection of Kansas 10 and Kill Creek Road.Many of those volunteers turned out again Thursday to lend moral support, lunch, advice and muscle to Zimmerman and his family.The storm splintered and destroyed the sturdy wood beams that held his historic barn together. Zimmerman said the damage was too severe to rebuild the structure. Zimmerman originally thought he might build a modern shed on the site, but De Soto community members and friends quickly put an end to that discussion.If he could have one barn raising, why not a second, they told him.Zimmerman said that if he could find a second timber frame barn, that he might just take on that challenge — provided the community was up for it.On Thursday his children took down the names of community members who offered their help.Yet Zimmerman’s thoughts were also focused on those whose weddings and graduation parties were scheduled at the barn. He worried how and where they would find a place to relocate. The barn would have been the location for at least one event each weekend through the summer.“The concern I have is all the events and activities that were going to go on there, weddings and wedding receptions and graduation parties,” he said.One stunned bride and groom said they were just happy no was injured.And while the engaged couple Taylor Neugebauer and Joe Calvert were frantically searching for a rustic location to hold their June 26 nuptials, the Spring Hill couple didn’t rule out the possibility of holding the wedding at the farm after all. Fitting 300 guests under a tent might work, they said.“I’d love to still do it here,” Neugebauer said as she eyed an open grassy area.Zimmerman said some events like the Wednesday evening farmer’s market will go on at the farm as usual. Many other activities — including graduation and birthday parties — have been canceled.The farm had become a local education center hosting field trips for school children and public events on a regular basis. It hosted art festivals and offered pumpkins for sale each fall. Zimmerman hosted many social and community events for free.Although Zimmerman rescued the barn and paid for its refurbishing, he named it the White-Waitzmann barn after its original owners in order to maintain its history. It wouldn’t be right, he said, to rename history.Kansas Preservationists praised his efforts.“The way Darrel used the barn is one of the best examples in Kansas of why it can be beneficial to preserve barns. In fact, because of Darrel’s view of the world, he made the barn a priceless asset to the community,” said Marci Penner, who promotes rural tourism through the Kansas Sampler Foundation. “I’m heartbroken for him. It was his dream.”As Zimmerman and his family work to clear trees and clean up their farm, he suspects he isn’t the only one feeling the sting of the loss.“It was a community effort,” Zimmerman said. “It isn’t just a loss to me, it’s a loss to the community.”<hr class="infobox-hr-separator" /> <div class="infobox"> </div>

Posted on Thu, May. 13, 2010 05:55 PM

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Storm destroys historic Zimmerman Barn in De Soto

By DAWN BORMANN AND JOE LAMBE

The Kansas City Star

FRED BLOCHER

Wednesday night's storms flattened the White/Waitzmann barn and windmill at Zimmerman's Kill Creek Farm near K-10 and Kill Creek Road. Little red wagons that were used by children to bring in pumkins from the patch during the Halloween season were amid the debris. Darrel Zimmerman, owner of the property, lamented the destruction of a DeSoto community landmark. "I had title to the barn, but it belonged to the communit," he said. FRED BLOCHER/Kansas City Star 05132010

Video | Storm destroys historic Zimmerman Barn in De Soto

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Darrel Zimmerman knew the community appreciated the historic red barn that stood proudly on his family farm in De Soto.

But on Thursday he learned just how much the landmark meant to the community, to brides and grooms, children and even strangers. Hundreds called or came out to lend a hand after the barn was leveled by storms that moved into the area around 11 p.m. Wednesday.

“I wasn’t too emotional about this last night until everybody started stopping by,” the 73-year-old said, as his eyes filled with tears.

It’s easy to understand the pain Zimmerman felt. The barn dates back to the 1880s. In 1999 and 2000, Zimmerman rescued the dilapidated barn from another farmstead. Zimmerman, contractors and volunteers carefully deconstructed the barn and rebuilt it piece by piece at the new site. Community volunteers came out to help finish the historic structure, which stood on the Zimmerman farm at the intersection of Kansas 10 and Kill Creek Road.

Many of those volunteers turned out again Thursday to lend moral support, lunch, advice and muscle to Zimmerman and his family.

The storm splintered and destroyed the sturdy wood beams that held his historic barn together. Zimmerman said the damage was too severe to rebuild the structure. Zimmerman originally thought he might build a modern shed on the site, but De Soto community members and friends quickly put an end to that discussion.

If he could have one barn raising, why not a second, they told him.

Zimmerman said that if he could find a second timber frame barn, that he might just take on that challenge — provided the community was up for it.

On Thursday his children took down the names of community members who offered their help.

Yet Zimmerman’s thoughts were also focused on those whose weddings and graduation parties were scheduled at the barn. He worried how and where they would find a place to relocate. The barn would have been the location for at least one event each weekend through the summer.

“The concern I have is all the events and activities that were going to go on there, weddings and wedding receptions and graduation parties,” he said.

One stunned bride and groom said they were just happy no was injured.

And while the engaged couple Taylor Neugebauer and Joe Calvert were frantically searching for a rustic location to hold their June 26 nuptials, the Spring Hill couple didn’t rule out the possibility of holding the wedding at the farm after all. Fitting 300 guests under a tent might work, they said.

“I’d love to still do it here,” Neugebauer said as she eyed an open grassy area.

Zimmerman said some events like the Wednesday evening farmer’s market will go on at the farm as usual. Many other activities — including graduation and birthday parties — have been canceled.

The farm had become a local education center hosting field trips for school children and public events on a regular basis. It hosted art festivals and offered pumpkins for sale each fall. Zimmerman hosted many social and community events for free.

Although Zimmerman rescued the barn and paid for its refurbishing, he named it the White-Waitzmann barn after its original owners in order to maintain its history. It wouldn’t be right, he said, to rename history.

Kansas Preservationists praised his efforts.

“The way Darrel used the barn is one of the best examples in Kansas of why it can be beneficial to preserve barns. In fact, because of Darrel’s view of the world, he made the barn a priceless asset to the community,” said Marci Penner, who promotes rural tourism through the Kansas Sampler Foundation. “I’m heartbroken for him. It was his dream.”

As Zimmerman and his family work to clear trees and clean up their farm, he suspects he isn’t the only one feeling the sting of the loss.

“It was a community effort,” Zimmerman said. “It isn’t just a loss to me, it’s a loss to the community.”

To reach Dawn Bormann, call 816-234-7704 or send e-mail to dbormann@kcstar.com To reach Joe Lambe, call 816-234-7714 or send e-mail to jlambe@kcstar.com

Posted on Thu, May. 13, 2010 05:55 PM

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