ABOUT!

YES, we're going to pick this baby up and haul it over right near the big Draper Park area in Draper's Town Center! The Barn will be located to the east of the newly renovated Fitzgerald House and the Fitzgerald Cabin. Landscaping, pathways and displays will complete the parcel and provide a relaxing, useful and educational addition to Draper's park resources.

With help from YOU, area businesses and craftspeople the barn will be placed on a new cement floor and foundation, scraped, repaired, renovated, electrified and restored. It will be available as a unique type of park "pavillion" - very needed and in demand in our community.

The barn will, mainly, be all about fun - we're thinking barn dances, family parties, informal weddings, community events, exhibits, readings - hopefully a successful farmer's market too.

BUT, we know the teaching moments will sneak in there too. Without taking up any of that wonderful, open, floor space the often humble story of Draper's farming heritage will be told and come to life for kids and adults.

Agriculture in Draper was mostly about the family farm - working hard,
working together and putting food on the table even in the hardest times.

The history of the Day farm goes back to Henry Eastman Day in 1851.
Son Elias John and his sons started the dairy herd in the early 1920's
and nearly lost the farm in the depression. Elias' son, Harmon, studied
agriculture at Utah State University and became a leader in the
farming community. Harmon, his wife Phoebe and their 10 children
worked together, through thick and thin, to make the farm a success.

Elias' sons, Jack and Henry continued in Elias' tradition of excellence, built one of the top purebred herds of cows in the nation and, in 1987, were honored as "Utah's Holstein Breeders of the Year".

The stories of other farming and ranching families are just as enriching
and can also come to life and remembrance as the people of Draper
use and enjoy the renovated Day Barn.

With your help - at no drain to struggling city coffers - our community
can work together to create another beloved gathering place - one that
provides a bridge to a humble and honorable shared heritage.

Your contribution can be tax-deductible through the 501(c)3 Draper
Community Foundation and will be recognized permanently at the new
site of the Day Barn - east of the Fitzgerald property, 1120 Pioneer Road.
Please visit our DONATE! page to see how you can join in a modern day "Barn Raising"!