Description of Historic Place

The Hay Shed at Bar U Ranch National Historic Site of Canada, also known as Building No. 2, is a simple function-driven, open design, one room structure with a weathered appearance, and was constructed by Alan J. Baker to house a stack-liner but was adapted for hay storage for the adjacent Stud-Horse Barn. Located within the Percheron area the Hay Shed sits on a flat grassy area next to the Stud-Horse Barn and is not prominently visible, being smaller and essentially hidden from the access lane by the much larger Stud Horse Barn. The Hay Shed at the Bar U Ranch complex is among 35 buildings on 147 hectares of open range land, rolling in character, merging into the foothills to the west, with the Rockies clearly visible in the distance. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

The Hay Shed is a Classified Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations and its architectural and environmental values.

Historical Value
The Hay Shed as part of the Bar U Ranch complex is one of the best examples of the development of the ranching industry in Alberta and its importance in the development of Canada. Although a comparatively recent structure, constructed during the second phase development of the site, the Hay Shed gives evidence of the continuing operation of the Bar U complex after its main periods of development. The building was purpose-built as a shelter for bailed hay-storage for the adjacent Stud barn.

Architectural Value
The Hay Shed is a very good example of a simple function-driven design and form, exterior finish, construction materials and techniques. Built with peeled poles, milled lumber and board on board siding, construction materials were probably salvaged from an earlier barn in the vicinity. The east elevation of the agricultural building is open, with a heavy-duty double gate that swings 180 degrees on two large steel hinges. The open design was based on the overriding requirements for good ventilation for stored hay.

Environmental Value
The Hay Shed reinforces the present visual character of the Bar U Ranch through its functional design and weathered appearance, enabling it to blend inobtrusively with earlier neighbouring structures. As part of a cohesive complex of buildings arranged to great functional effect the Hay Shed sits on a flat grassy area next to the Stud Horse Barn. Circulation or access to the site reflects historic patterns related to the movement of grain tanks, wagons and motorized vehicles.

Sources: Edward Mills, Historic Bar U Ranch Headquarters, Longview, Alberta, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office Building Report 92-017; The Hay Shed (Building 2), Bar U Ranch, Longview, Alberta. Heritage Character Statement 92-017.

Character-Defining Elements

The following character defining elements of the Hay Shed should be respected.

Its very good simple function-driven design, and form, exterior finish, construction materials and techniques, as manifested in: the simple construction of peeled poles and milled lumber; the upright pole construction, with poles embedded directly into the ground; the three exterior walls and roof clad with board-on-board siding; the open east elevation, with a heavy-duty double gate that swings 180 degrees on two large steel hinges; its weathered appearance; its limited range of materials; lumber species, dimensions, surface finish, tool marks and period paint colour.

The manner in which the Hay Shed as part of a cohesive complex of buildings reinforces the visual character of the Bar U Ranch.

Heritage Character Statement

Disclaimer - The heritage character statement was developed by FHBRO to explain the reasons for the designation of a federal heritage building and what it is about the building that makes it significant (the heritage character). It is a key reference document for anyone involved in planning interventions to federal heritage buildings and is used by FHBRO in their review of interventions.

The Hay Shed at the Bar U Ranch was added in 1956, after the second phase of development of the site (ca. 1902-05 to the 1940s). The structure was purpose-built by Alan J. Baker to house a stack liner, but was adapted for hay storage. The Hay Shed is a component of the Bar U Ranch National Historic Site. Parks Canada is the custodian. See FHBRO Building Report 92-17.

Reasons for Designation
The Hay Shed, as a component of the Bar U Ranch complex, was designated "Classified" because of the historical associations of this building and the ranch as a whole, because of the exceptional qualities of the site and setting, and because of its contribution to the overall aesthetic qualities of the complex.

The Bar U Ranch is strongly associated with the development of ranching in Alberta. Although a comparatively recent structure, the Hay Shed gives evidence of the continuing operation of the Bar U complex after its main periods of development. The Hay Shed is located close to the Stud-Horse Barn and was adapted to provide a convenient hay-storage facility for the important stable.

As part of a cohesive complex of buildings arranged to great functional effect in a simple and beautiful natural setting, the Hay Shed contributes to the character of the Bar U Ranch. The Hay Shed sits on a flat grassy area next to the Stud-Horse Barn and is not prominently visible, being smaller and essentially hidden from the access lane by the much larger Stud Horse Barn.

The Hay Shed is of interest for its structure, which is a simple construction of peeled poles and milled lumber. Despite its comparatively late construction date, the Hay Shed blends well with its surroundings because of its functional design and weathered appearance. The shed is located within the Percheron area, adjacent to the prominent Stud Horse Barn on a flat, grassy area.

Character Defining Elements
The heritage character of the Hay Shed resides in its simple function-driven design and form, exterior finish, construction materials and techniques, and setting.

The shed is of upright pole construction, with poles embedded directly into the ground. Three exterior walls and the roof are clad with board-on-board siding. The east elevation is open, with a heavy-duty double gate that swings 180 degrees on two large steel hinges. The open design was based on the overriding requirement for good ventilation for stored hay. It is possible that the materials used to build the Hay Shed were salvaged from an earlier barn on the premises. All of these features contribute to the building's heritage character and should be protected in any future modifications and maintenance work.

Because the building consists of such a limited range of materials, great care must be taken to repair in kind, matching lumber species, dimensions, surface finish and tool marks, and period paint colour.

Any development should seek to retain the unornamented, functional quality of the site, and respect existing patterns of access and circulation. Any changes to circulation or access should consider historic patterns related to the movement of grain tanks, wagons and motorized vehicles. The relationship of the Hay Shed with the Stud-Horse Barn is important to its heritage character and should be protected.