What That Star on a Minnesota Barn Really Means
Out on country roads in Minnesota, you’ve probably noticed barns with a big star fixed proudly to the side. They’re hard to miss, but what they stand for isn’t always obvious—though the meaning goes back generations and carries more weight than you might expect.
Minnesota is the Land of 10,000 Lakes, but our fair state is also home to numerous farms, many of which still have those familiar red barns we're used to seeing. But just what does it mean if you see a star on one of those barns?
Why So Many Minnesota Barns Feature Stars
While farming and agriculture are still a major part of the business economy in the Bold North, the number of farms across our state has been steadily decreasing over the years. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) says that Minnesota's total number of farms in 2022 was 67,100, down 300 farms from 2021.
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Barns and Minnesota go together like macaroni and cheese, right? Thanks to the agricultural nature of our ancestors, the North Star State has been home to many different barns over the years. And many have a 'barn star' somewhere on them. But what does it mean?
The Surprising History of Barn Stars in Minnesota
Well, for starters, a 'barn star' that you might see on a bright red barn here in the Gopher State isn't just a decoration, though it might look like that these days, thanks to the 'modern farmhouse' style of decorating that's popular these days.
But a real 'barn star' here in the Bold North is a tradition brought over to Minnesota by our German ancestors. This Taste of Country story notes that while some 'barn stars' were simply painted on the wood, many are made of actual metal and attached to the exterior side of a barn structure.
What a Barn Star Really Symbolizes on Minnesota Farms
And they weren't just decorations, Taste of Country says. Initially known as Pennsylvania stars or primitive stars, they originally had a distinct meaning:
These stars were commonly installed on barns by early Dutch and German settlers to ward off evil. The stars are known to bring good luck to farmers, too.
This story backs up that claim, saying that while barnstars do not likely have any structural purpose, many are considered lucky, similar to a horseshoe that you might see mounted over a doorway.
Keep scrolling to check out a cool video that shows what some of these classic 'barnstars' look like here in Minnesota and across the Midwest. Sadly, many of these classic barns are falling into disrepair or have already been torn down. But seeing one today takes us back to a simpler time in our history, much like heading back to Grandma and Grandpa's house. Speaking of that, keep scrolling to check out some classic things you'd have found at many grandparents' homes in Minnesota back in the day!
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