The Decker Crib Barn

The Decker Crib Barn. . This Crib barn, c. 1850, was built before the two major forest fires in the Thumb of 1871 and 1881. The Barn was owned (and believed to have been built) by Charles Decker, who also founded the Village of Deckerville in the late 1860's., The walls of the barn are hand hewn white pine logs. The largest measures 10 inches thick by 16 inches high by 30 feet long. The dove tail joints were so tight and the log surfaces so even, no chinking was needed. The roof rafters were of hand hewn cedar logs. Richard Harter disassembled the barn, labeled each piece, and brought it here, where he reassembled it. He replaced some decayed timbers with new wood. The roof is of hand split cedar shakes. Area farmers donated for the expenses of the project, along with other craftsmen donating skill, labor and money., Richard and Judy Harter donated the barn to the Museum and Pioneer Village in memory of Richard's parents Nicholas and Mary Harter. Nicholas and Mary raised five children: Doris, Mary Ann, Kathleen, Richard, and Carol.