Jefferson County is set to welcome visitors from across the state this weekend as the Iowa Barn Foundation’s 2026 Spring Barn Tour takes place Saturday and Sunday, June 27th and 28th, according to the Iowa Barn Foundation.
The self-guided tour features 21 barns and a Victorian carriage house throughout Jefferson County, open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. both days. The tour also includes three unique historic Martin Steel structures — a grain bin and two types of silos, including a rare self-feeding hay silo near Batavia that was designed so cattle could essentially feed themselves, reducing labor for farmers. In Fairfield, visitors can tour the Carnegie Museum to view Jefferson County history exhibits, including Louden Machinery Company artifacts. The tour is free and open to the public.
The historic Maasdam Barns at the Evergreen Ridge Stock Farm District will serve as the tour hub and Saturday lunch site. The district features three historic barns and a museum filled with early Fairfield industries related to agriculture, including an extensive collection of Louden equipment and documentation. The Iowa Barn Foundation chose Jefferson County in part because of the county’s significant role in agricultural innovation, including the legacy of Turney Wagon Works and Louden Manufacturing Company. Most of the barns on the tour will have volunteers on hand to share historical information with guests, and the majority are working barns that still house livestock or are used for storage.
A lunch will be served at Maasdam Barns from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 27th, provided by Jefferson County Pork Producers. The meal will include grilled pork loin on a bun, cheesy potatoes, green beans, a cookie, and water. Pre-orders are highly recommended at $15 per person. Orders can be placed online at iowabarnfoundation.org/product/2026-spring-tour-lunch or by mailing a check made out to Maasdam Barns to 2224 IA-1, Fairfield, IA 52556. A limited number of cash sales will be available the day of the event.
Following lunch at 1:00 p.m., volunteers will demonstrate putting up hay using a hay carrier system in the stallion barn, with draft horses on site for the demonstration. The Southeast Iowa Draft Horse and Mule Association will also have their percherons in the mare barn for the public to view.
The tour also includes the historic James A. Beck House in Fairfield, featured for its Victorian carriage house at the corner of East Burlington Avenue and D Street. The carriage house features original horse stalls, historic hay storage areas, and stained-glass windows. Visitors will also have the opportunity to tour the first floor of the Beck Mansion next door, offering a glimpse into life in Fairfield before the automobile era.
Secretary of Agriculture to Visit Jefferson County Friday
Adding to the excitement surrounding the weekend tour, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig will be making two stops in Jefferson County on Friday, June 26th. Both stops are open to the public.
From 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., Secretary Naig will visit the Jefferson County Fair at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds at 2606 W. Burlington Ave. in Fairfield, where he will tour the fairgrounds, meet with 4-H and FFA members, interact with fairgoers, and view livestock exhibits and projects.
From 9:45 to 10:45 a.m., Secretary Naig will visit the Maasdam Barns, meeting with farm owners and Iowa Barn Foundation leadership to learn more about the history and preservation of the barns. Secretary Naig is also expected to encourage Iowans to explore local attractions and destinations like the Iowa Barn Foundation Spring Barn Tour as part of America’s 250th anniversary observance.
