Iowa Barn Gets New Lease on Life in Sonoma

A little rustic slice of Iowa materialized in Sonoma this week with the construction of an antique barn.

It's thanks to Josh Chandler, a local contractor, that the structure got a new lease on life. According to the Press Democrat, Chandler is leading a campaign to save hand-made barns around the country.

Often, antique structures are re-purposed, rather than saved. For example, the new Whole Foods in the Haight has floors made out of the wood of an old gym, and wooden panels salvaged from dilapidated North Bay structures.

The 1909 Iowa barn joins several other antiques on Chandler's property: a winery and a farmhouse that date back about a hundred years. Nearby farmland produces wine, honey, olive oil, and fruit.

The restored ban will house a cooler and will store wine-making equipment. California laws will transform it somewhat: it'll need new insulation to comply with earthquake safety laws.

The entire process of re-building it will cost half a million dollars by the time it's all done.