Robert Barr believes the traditions and advancements of agriculture are too important to keep from future generations of Pennsylvanians, so he is looking to create a unique experience.

The president of Agrarian Country, a nonprofit group that plans to build a one-of-a-kind agricultural tourist destination in Lebanon County, spoke about the plans at the Pennsylvania Farm Show on Wednesday.

Barr, who has been in agricultural education his whole life, wants to build Agrarian Country on 1,000 acres with at least 40 different farming operations in full production, from a dairy herd to vegetable crops, bee hives and even a trout hatchery near Penn National Race Course.

"We need to bring people to the realization that our history and our agricultural community is the root of our country — it's the root of Pennsylvania," Barr said.

The centerpiece in Barr's plan will be the Star Barn that sits along Route 283 in Dauphin County.

Last year he bought the iconic barn, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is considered the most recognizable agricultural structure in North America.

The "mammoth barn," so-called because of its size, was built in 1872 in the Gothic Revival style by Daniel Reichert, a mortician and master carpenter.

Barr said the barn was commissioned by Col. John Motter, who served in the U.S. Cavalry in the Civil War and raised horses in the structure for the Army. As many as 20 percent of the horses used by Gen. George Custer at the Battle of Little Big Horn were raised in the Star Barn, Barr said.

"Who would have thought about (the history) driving by the Star Barn and just admiring the steeple?" Barr said.

The barn will be dismantled and moved to the Lebanon County site to serve as a visitor and conference center, Barr said.

He will entrust the dismantling to Narvon resident John High. In his 18 years as owner of The Barn Saver, High has worked on about 400 farm structures along the East Coast.

High's work on the Star Barn will involve labeling each piece and reverse-engineering the building of the structure.

The Star Barn will be rebuilt by volunteers from the American Timber Framers Guild using methods that would have been used in 1872.

No cranes or heavy equipment will be used to rebuild the Star Barn — only ropes, pulleys and teams of oxen and draft horses.

This spring, High hopes to dismantle the hog barn, corn crib and chicken coop at the Star Barn site.

High said, "It's just a great feeling to know that I am saving a part of this history that so many people think is just garbage."

E-mail: myoder@lnpnews.com