call/text Land owner Scott Stone at 248-506-4959 or Email:smstone555@comcast.net

A Leelanau Community Call to Action:

A Leelanau Community Call to Action:A Leelanau Community Call to Action:A Leelanau Community Call to Action:

A Leelanau Community Call to Action:

A Leelanau Community Call to Action:A Leelanau Community Call to Action:A Leelanau Community Call to Action:
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Help Preserve the Barn Murals

Join us in restoring the Bicentennial Barn Murals located in the heart of Leelanau County

Donate for the 2026 Phase 2 HERE

instagram.com/leelanau1776barn

October Update:

A message from Landowner Scott Stone

  

Thanks to the good weather and a decent volunteer turn-out the barn painting project is 95% + complete, only some minor details are needed which will be added soon. Collectively, over 260 hours have been spent on the preparation and mural painting. There were over 12 volunteers in total with some helping on multiple days. 14 paint colors were purchased to complete the murals not counting many custom blended colors made on site.


We (Scott, Tamara Stone) want to thank all the volunteers and sponsors who helped with the project, especially Lance Bice of Northern Spark Electric who graciously lent us his large spider lift for a month, our sponsors Sherwin Williams, LVR Realty, Cherry Republic, and Langsdale Signs & Services. Gracious appreciation to the local volunteers who helped with all the prep and painting, and people who contributed to our GoFundMe site.


We still intend to add one more mural; a silhouette of the county located to the right of the silo. However, since we are running out of time and weather we will complete this part of the project next year. We will also plan to celebrate the nations semiquincentennial next July at the barn with a community event that will take place around the 4th, details will be forthcoming.


Again, many thanks to the volunteers who contributed on-site, listed in order of participation time volunteered:

  

Langsdale  Signs & Services

Caren Field

Doug and Kathy McFerren

Kim Ford

Ken Pratt

Matthew Darling

Tamara Stone

Lorraine Boyadjian

Anne-Marie Awrey

Don Zeder

JP Larkin

David Leith

Rick Taylor

April McLaren

Dennis Gerathy (Leelanau sign painter legend)

Our Mission

The barn exterior paint and art that was last completed in 2005 is faded and peeling. The vision is to repaint the barn starting in September of this year, ahead of next year’s 250th independence anniversary, with the original art and potentially another mural of a Leelanau County map on the south barn side, similar to the original 1976 mural of County.


The plan also includes painting of the roof in order to extend its life (like the Poor Barn project completed in 2021). The homeowners would like to rekindle the spirit of community involvement with the barn mural restoration; similar to the original project completed just prior to the Bicentennial in 1976.

Contributing Sponsors

Layout/Paint Team Direction

Local Paint/Supplies Sponsor

Local Paint/Supplies Sponsor

Based in Leelanau County, guided by the Spirit of Eddie "Eddiedoodit" Langsdale (1914-1999) and inspired by local legend sign painter Dennis Gerathy.  Follow on Instagram HERE

Local Paint/Supplies Sponsor

Local Paint/Supplies Sponsor

Local Paint/Supplies Sponsor

Traverse City Commercial Branch of Sherwin Williams kindly provided a large discount on paint and supplies for the barn murals and big thanks to Store Manager Corey Collins!

Corporate Sponsor

Local Paint/Supplies Sponsor

Corporate Sponsor

Local iconic brand Cherry Republic is a kind corporate sponsor, and Founder Bob Sutherland and family stopped by to rally the paint team on September 27th!

A Letter of Support from Leelanau Historical Society

Preserving History, Preserving Leelanau

 Kim Kelderhouse, Executive Director kindly shared a letter of support from the Leelanau Historical Society and can be viewed in full HERE 


View original 1976 Barn Mural photos HERE

Memorable moments with the Bicentennial Barn

The Mural Painting Event is planned for September 2025

1042 W Harbor Hwy maple city, MI 49664

Volunteer & Inquires Submit HERE

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Keeping Hand Painted Signs Alive!

Your generous donation of any kind will help us restore and preserve this iconic piece of history. Every contribution makes a difference, ensuring these artworks remain vibrant for future generations of locals and visitors to Leelanau County. 

Read the 2005 Article HERE


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