FROMME- BIRNEY ROUND BARN Mullinville, Kansas
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Welcome to one of the "8 Wonders of Kansas" - Architecture

No particular architect is tied to this barn, but  round barns were popular in agricultural journals and promoted by agricultural land grant colleges in the late 1800's - early 1900's. The builder was William "Pat" Campbell III, a local contractor.

​The Fromme-Birney Round Barn was placed on the State and National Register of Historic Places due to it's unique architecture in 1987. See the barn's National Register Nomination Form and Inventory Record and photos.

​The Fromme-Birney Round Barn was voted in as one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas - Architecture in 2008 by the Kansas Sampler Foundation, an organization that promotes rural culture.
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After restoration in 1995
"The real accomplishment is that the carpenter was able to cut all of the lumber to a perfect fit, by hand, with only the aid of a framing square. Another amazing thing is that the barn was built with over 160 full-sized 20-foot white pine        2 x 6's, and there are no knotholes in any of the wood. I am too young to remember quality clear lumber, but I think today's carpenters can be envious."

​"Mr. Fromme broke horses in a nearby smaller barn, then brought the horses to the polygonal barn where they were kept and used to farm his land."
​"My parting thought is that we should admire these beautiful barns while we can, and I hope that in future generations this part of architecture is not forgotten." Blaine Davis, R.A.,
​Kansas Territorial Magazine, Sept/Oct 1983
​Phyllis Birney loved this barn from first sight, and  received the barn and one acre from her husband Larry, on their 15th wedding anniversary. She then worked to get the barn listed on the National Register of Historic Places and later gave it to the Kiowa County Historical Society.

Bill
 Campbell with shingling hammer and hand saw used by his great grandfather, the builder of the barn.

Photo: Bill Campbell and Phyllis Birney

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The barn is listed as one of the
8 Wonders of Kansas -Architecture for it's architectural significance in Kansas by the
​Kansas Sampler Foundation
  • Built in 1912 at a cost of $8000 to house draft horses
  • Built by William "Pat Campbell for Henry W. Fromme
  • 50' tall and 70' in diameter
  • Not actually round, but 16-sided
  • Purchased (land and farmstead) by the J.W. Birney family in 1954
  •  The barn was used in navigation training for WWII bomber pilots

Links
  • ​Round Barns of Kansas
  • Kansas Round Barn List by Dale Travis
  • Kansas Barn Alliance - provides barn restoration information

  • Kansas Barn Restoration Videos
Fromme-Birney Round Barn       3 1/2 miles south and 1 3/4 miles west of Mullinville KS
     Awards/Recognition:                             Owned by Kiowa County Historical Society
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National Register of Historic Places
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Visitors are Welcome - just open the door, turn on the lights, sign the guest book, and view the exhibits of farm life of 1912. (please turn off lights when you leave.)

​Free Admission


​              Contact:     Norval and Beverly Ralstin
​              Email           nralstin@havilandtelco.com
​              Phone          620-635-6360
​                                    620-548-2266
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