Photo courtesy McPolin farm/friends of the farm
It’s hard to miss the iconic McPolin Barn and Farmhouse while driving in and out of Park City. Its picturesque setting, nestled into 80 acres of open space complete with babbling brook, breathtaking mountain scenery, and a biking/hiking trail, is the backdrop for many a family portrait and also is the subject itself for photographers from around the world.
But taking a tour inside the McPolin Barn and Farmhouse is a rare event that happens just twice a year, starting with this Friday, Aug. 28, when Friends of the Farm, an organization that manages the historical site, will host guided tours at 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. A second opportunity will be available on Friday, Sept. 25, also with tours at 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Friends of the Farm volunteers will lead the hour-long tours, which are open to all ages in groups of 20 and will be held rain or shine. Minda Stockdale, McPolin Farm manager, recently told the Park Record’s Scott Iwasaki that tour participants will not only learn a bit about Park City history but also the families and people associated with the farm.
“We go through three historical periods — homestead, improvement era and post-war into modern day,” said Stockdale. “We talk about the different families who lived at the farm starting with the McPolins, who bought the property and raised beef and hogs, to the Osguthorpes, who turned it into a dairy farm. We also talk about how Park City purchased the farm to preserve open space.”
The farm was purchased by the Citizens of Park City in 1990 in order to protect and enhance town’s entry corridor and maintain open space. The original farm included 160 acres and was homesteaded in 1886 by the Harrison McLane family. In 1897, they sold 80 acres to Dan McPolin and Patrick McAleeman for $600, and in 1922, the McPolins erected the iconic barn using recycled timber salvaged from an old tailings mill. Fun fact: The barn was built without using any nails!
Stockdale noted the tours will include a walk through the old and modern milking parlors and granaries, as well as the hay loft, where they can peer out from the windows onto the farm’s property.
Friends of the Farm first hosted barn tours last summer and are particularly excited to offer tours this year in light of all that has been canceled due to coronavirus.
“We found ourselves in this unique position to provide something the whole family can enjoy, while safely social distancing,” said Stockdale. “I think people are eager to get out and engage with the history of our community, even though it’s hard right now.”
Add to your experience by taking the free, self-guided McPolin Barn walking tour using the free app from your mobile device. From your mobile device, visit Google Play or App Store and search “Utah Heritage Walks,” then scroll down to launch “McPolin Farm Walking Tour.” The self-guided tour should take about one hour and contains audio, maps, photos, and descriptions of history and architecture found throughout the historic property.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Tickets: Tickets are $5, and proceeds will benefit programs and displays hosted and maintained by Friends of the Farm. Tickets must be purchased in advance, online only, at PC MARC (https://secure.rec1.com/UT/park-city-ut/catalog) then click the tab for “McPolin Farm Events.” Please note, you do need to create an account to purchase tickets; and tickets are non-refundable.
Parking: There is no parking at the farm. Participants are encouraged to walk or bike, or catch the free shuttle from the PC MARC at 1200 Little Kate Rd. Shuttles will start running at 3:30 p.m. for the 4 p.m. tour and at 5 p.m. for the 5:30 p.m. tour. There will be multiple shuttles prior to each tour.
Dress code and COVID-19 guidelines: The McPolin Barn and Farmhouse are historic structures, which can mean uneven surfaces. The tour’s dress code requires visitors to wear long pants and closed-toed shoes that are sturdy and flat. The tours also will adhere to Summit County Health Department’s COVID-19 social distancing guidelines and participants are required to wear face coverings. Additional PPE, including gloves and hand sanitizer, will be available on site.
Dogs: No dogs will be allowed on tours, although leashed dogs are still permitted on the paved biking/hiking trail.
Questions: Please contact Minda Stockdale at minda.stockdale@parkcity.org.
