Historic preservationist Roger Keys will present “Restoring Heritage: The Glidden Barn Revival” at noon on Sunday, January 11, at the Glidden Homestead Welcome Center, 921 W. Lincoln Highway in DeKalb. Keys will explore the history and architecture and share historic photos of the barn where “The Winner” barbed wire was invented and first manufactured.

Admission is $5 for adults; children under 14 and Homestead members are admitted free. Admission includes a bowl of soup, and the historic house will be open for tours following the program. Parking is available in the Glidden Homestead lot. This program is part of the fourth annual Soup-er Sundays series, held on the second and fourth Sundays of January, February and March.

Located on the Homestead campus, the Glidden barn is considered one of the most historically significant barns in the country, according to Keys. It is the site where Joseph F. Glidden invented and produced the first practical barbed wire. Keys, who has contributed extensively to preservation work on both the house and barn, will share the building’s historical timeline and discuss current restoration projects, including restoration of the barn floor and tack room. Built circa 1870, the brick barn once housed Glidden’s first barbed wire manufacturing office in its southeast corner.

Soup-er Sundays support the mission of the J.F. Glidden Homestead & Historical Center, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving the Glidden home and barn—both listed on the National Register of Historic Places—and offering educational programs that connect the public with DeKalb’s rich heritage. For more information, call 815-756-7904, visit www.gliddenhomestead.org, or email jessi@gliddenhomestead.org.

Sunday, January 11
“Restoring Heritage: The Glidden Barn Revival”
Presented by Roger Keys, Historic Preservationist

Sunday, January 25
“Birds, Beasts, Bugs, and Little Fishes: DeKalb Wildlife on Former Glidden Land”
Presented by Michael Day, Local Photographer

Sunday, February 8
“Preserving Cook Mansion: A Journey to the National Register”
Presented by Rob & Linda Srygler, Homeowners

Sunday, February 22
“Growing Pawpaws, Growing Community”
Presented by Austin Cliffe, Pawpaw Expert

Sunday, March 8
“‘Absorbing Ambition’: Clinton Rosette, the DeKalb Press, and the Campaign to Bring NIU to DeKalb”
Presented by John Paris, Associate Professor of History, College of DuPage

Sunday, March 22
“Cultivating Community: The Roots of Sweet Life Garden Group”
Presented by Lori Brown, Founder, Sweet Life Garden Group