A Little Background about our Project

The Southern Appalachian style barn is an iconic symbol of the ingenuity of those hard-working landowners who carved out their existence in this rugged landscape.   Our Mission: to preserve the rural heritage of Madison County and surrounding areas through the documentation of the historical barn building traditions and the barns they represent for future generations.

Madison County, North Carolina, (just north of Asheville) has a rich agricultural history. The county’s place in the production of burley tobacco is well known, but there are other ways to explore and record our agricultural & cultural history. One of the most interesting ways to do this is to tell the stories of the barns and outbuildings scattered throughout the county. Learn more about the beginning of our organization and the people who are working to save this history.

The ABA is registered to solicit donations in the state of NC. “Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 888‐830‐4989. The license is not an endorsement by the St

Upcoming Events:

Month of April & May til June 10: Purchase Quilt Raffle tickets to raise money for reconstructing a barn on the Smith Farm. Final drawing is at 3pm at ABA Booth at the Bluff Mountain Festival in Hot Springs. A Photo of the Quilt and Details– Click HERE.

Monday, May 8 at 9am: Monthly ABA Board meeting at the Marshall Library. All are welcome to attend. Questions, call 828 380-9146

Friday, May 26 from 5:30 to 8pm: “Art Gala event” — 3rd Annual Pastoral Palette. Drinks & finger food plus music. Art for sale by artists chosen by the Saints of Paint. Percentage of sales of art will benefit the ABA. Details? Click HERE.

Saturday, May 27 from 11am to 3pm: 3rd Annual Pastoral Palette continues. Open to the public for free. Percentage of sales of art will benefit the ABA. Details? Click HERE.

Friday & Saturday, June 9 & 10 (sold out) & Friday & Saturday, June 16 & 17: Barn Photography Workshop. Click HERE for details.

Saturday, June 10 at 10am: Stop by our booth at the Bluff Mountain Festival.

Saturday, September 9: Annual Barn Day. This year our tours and post-tour dinner will be in the Mars Hill / Upper Laurel area. Watch for details.


Listen to radio interviews about our organization and barn history (below)

Download to listen to Part #1 of an interview (from wART streaming radio) with Taylor Barnhill about Historic Barns
Download to listen to Part #2 of an interview (from wART streaming radio) with Taylor Barnhill about the Tobacco Barns

How You Can Help

  • Join our efforts. Email us at info@appalachianbarns.org or call (828) 380-9146
  • Provide us with information about your historic barn in Madison County. Email info@appalachianbarns.org or call (828) 380-9146
  • Become a member. The donation levels are $20 for Individual, $30 for Family, $50 for Friend, $100 for Patron (or Business Supporter), $200 for Benefactor, $500 for Super Supporter (free barn tour for 2), and $1000 for President’s Circle (free barn tour for 8). Mail your check with your address and email information to ABA, PO Box 1441, Mars Hill, NC 28754 or use the DONATE BOX at the top of this page. Or just make a contribution to the Appalachian Barn Alliance
  • Donate your vehicle, motorcycle, or boat and the ABA will receive 70% of what it receives when sold by careasy.org (a non-profit that will handle all the towing, sale, and tax information). The link will take you directly to a page to donate that vehicle to the ABA.


If you have an old vehicle, motorcycle, or boat that you are looking to get rid of, consider donating it to benefit the Appalachian Barn Alliance. It is a very simple process and Car Easy (a non-profit) will handle towing it away, selling it and providing the tax documentation for you. AND, the ABA receives 70% after their costs. Link here and Thanks!!

Cutting Boards, Cheese Boards & Appalachian Butter Knives made from Tobacco Sticks FOR SALE