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Above: The outside of the Glidden barn as it appears in 2007. Below: During the Open House, Open Barn Roger Keys points to interesting architectural features inside the barn. Keys, of DeKalb,  is a historic preservationist who has done much work at the Glidden Homestead. (Photos by Kathy Vance Siebrasse)
Annual open house event features barn
  
     The Glidden Homestead & Historical Center Spring Open House, Open Barn May 18, features the only insider views of the barn at this time. Visitors are able to go inside of the large brick structure, which is located between Glidden Florist and Burger King on West Lincoln Highway, DeKalb. Hours are noon - 4 p.m., with Music on the Porch featured at 1:30 p.m. Denny Rehn also will be on hand displaying his antique tools and implements.
    Many visitors take the opportunity during their one chance each Spring to see the inside of the DeKalb barn where Joseph F. Glidden first manufactured "The Winner" barbed wire.
     Roger Keys is a historic preservationist who has done much work on the barn and home at the Homestead. He usually is on hand during Open House, Open Barn to describe the barn and its historical significance.
     The barn is perhaps the most historically significant barn in the country, according to Keys, because it is where Joseph Glidden invented and manufactured the first practical barbed wire. The house was completed around 1861, and the brick barn was built between 1861-1871. Glidden's first barbed wire manufacturing office was located in the southeast corner of the barn.
     Architecturally, the Glidden barn also is very significant. It is one of the oldest barns left standing in DeKalb County. It reflects the German tradition and is built of local bricks with transverse frame, post and beam construction. The foundation is made of locally-quarried limestone. There were 14 eight-paned double-hung windows and 7 single-pane windows for luxurious livestock lodging. Originally, there were 2 large arched entrances, 7 stalls, a large haymow, gable, hayhood and a dirt or wooden plank floor.
     The Glidden barn has remained solid throughout its years of usage for livestock, horses, barbed wire manufacture and storage. It provides us with a priceless link to our past and evokes images for us of our agricultural roots and pioneer spirit upon which our communities are based today.
     "Joseph Glidden's invention of barbed wire not only put DeKalb on the map, it shaped the entire westward movement of America and had far-reaching impact eventually throughout the world," said Jim Morel, past board president.
     Glidden was granted the patent for "The Winner" Nov. 24, 1874. He built and lived in the house at 921 W. Lincoln Hwy., in the 1860s and early 1870s.
     The not-for-profit organization is run by a 15-member volunteer board that includes two direct descendants of Joseph Glidden. The board is working to preserve and restore the property, with the goal of establishing a welcome center and museum at the site.
     Public support and membership in the Glidden Homestead helps continue restoration efforts for the house and barn, both of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.