With renovations recently completed at the Miller Farmstead main building, another round of work can be on the way for the area.
The Miller Farmstead, located within Roan Mountain State Park (RMSP), was recently showcased across the state as the Tennessee Preservation Trust unveiled their ‘Ten in Tenn.’ list on Wednesday, Oct. 26, in Franklin documenting the top 10 most endangered historic properties. The barn at Miller Farmstead was one of the 10 entries part of the listing.
“It is a huge accomplishment to be recognized on the list,” RMSP Manager J.R. Tinch said. “This is a great way to raise awareness for the barn and possibly receiving funding to renovate the building to keep it up for people at the park. We’re very fortunate of all the attention the Miller Farmstead has received.”
According to the Tennessee Preservation Trust website, the list “has been TPT’s strongest advocacy tool for preservation. The campaign highlights ten historic properties considered most threatened by demolition, disaster or more often neglect to raise awareness of the properties’ historic value, give credibility to restoration efforts, and draw the much needed attention of the public.”
Since the program’s birth in 2001, over half the properties listed have been saved, including Bonnie Kate Theater last year.
Tinch recalled the trip to Franklin, where he provided a presentation on behalf of the property, adding he appreciated the support from individuals’ part of the Trust.
The Miller Farmstead actually went through its own renovations, which concluded in October.
“The project was expected to only take a month,” Tinch said about the recent renovation. “But it ended up taking a month-and-a-half. But the excitement for the home has been great from the community.”
The house is not open to the public until the summer, but attendees are able to walk through the premise and view the work completed.
In August, contractors started preservation work to replace the foundation under the house at the Farmstead. With a crumbling foundation, the park was able to obtain funding to complete the project.
The home itself was built in 1907, but isn’t the old piece item on the property. The barn was believed to have been built in 1879.
“Our goal is to get funding to restore the barn,” Tinch said. “We’re hoping to keep the barn as original as possible. It would be great to have these projects completed in two years.”
The public will have the opportunity to visit the Miller Farmstead on Saturday, Nov. 12, with the annual “Old Time Yule” event.
“We’ll have the home open during that day,” Tinch said. “Each year, we always decorate the house to showcase Appalachian history and to celebrate the holidays.”