BARNS OF KANKAKEE COUNTY

"Barns of Kankakee County" is a pictorial essay about the barns and structures built by original farmers who settled in Kankakee County, Illinois. The photos were taken over a two year period in 2008 and 2009 by the author. It is the first pictorial book by Kevin McNulty Sr of the agricultural region south of Chicago that continues to transform from family farms to corporate farming. What is left behind are old, dilapidated farm buildings one use by individual family farms.

The book is divided into themed sections including red barns (Red Pride), White Barns (Bleached Gray), barns covered with overgrown vegetation (Nature’s Vail), small structures (Limited Duty), and a collection of unique barns discovered during the photographing of remaining old structures in the county.

Many of the photographs depict structures over hundred years old, in disrepair or abandoned. The photographs with accompanying reflections are intended to reveal the aesthetic nature of these structures and their link to their original owners.

The book is primarily of barns in a dilapidated state as corporate farms began to replace old family farms and dairy farming nearly evaporated. Left were old run down corn cribs, dairy barns, silos, and abandoned equipment buildings. The original idea for the book came after the author’s mother, who grew up on the farm in Kankakee County in the 1930s, asked if her son might take a photo of her grandparents barn in the St. George area. After McNulty took photos of his ancestor’s barn, he found it interesting and continue to fine other barns “on their last legs.”

All photographs were taken by the author with a 35mm Canon Camera over the period during 2008 and 2009.