Then & Now: Dodge Nature Center Barn

Thanks to Block Portrait Studios, FoodSmith and Zak’s Auto Service for their support.

Here’s a look at the barn at the Dodge Nature Center in 1982 and 2025.

Dodge Nature Center Barn: 1982

This is the view from the pond at Dodge Nature Center in April 1982.

• The barn in the picture was build between 1971 and 1972 as a replica of a turn-of-the-century barn.
• The stones used in the face of the foundation were gathered from the property.
• The barn caught fire in the mid-1990s and a portion of the roof and east wall burned.

Dodge Nature Center Barn: 2025

This is the same view in January 2025. The most dramatic change is restoring the shoreline and pond to natural wetland. The red “Aerie” building to the left of the barn is also new and expanded.

Here’s a closer look at some of the current buildings and a wider view from the pond:

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