A decade after it was donated to the community, an addition is planned at Artisans at the Dahmen Barn, the former Uniontown dairy barn turned arts market.
The barn’s old loafing shed was recently dismantled to make way for a new building that will house more studio space, additional restrooms, a small commercial kitchen and a large multipurpose room to provide new space for classes, concerts, private rentals and retreats.
“The addition will look like the indigenous agricultural architecture we see around us,” said barn manager Leslee Miller in an email.
Work is being paid for with grants and donations. Funds are still being raised for the building and its teaching kitchen, part of a new culinary arts program at the barn, Miller said. Construction will begin this year depending on the contractor’s schedule.
Volunteers helped dismantle the barn’s old loafing shed piece by piece. Elements of the shed will be used in the new building that will be located behind the 1935 barn. It will open onto the east yard and south hillside where outdoor concerts are held.
In 2004 Steve and Junette Dahmen donated their barn and its fence made of 1,000 antique wheels to the Uniontown Development Association. Following a study recommendation, the association remodeled the barn into a modern arts and crafts market. The three story, ADA compliant building opened in 2006 with studios for working artists, a gift shop and classroom space.
