The old shingles on the century-old historic barn on Houston Drive in Hopkinton were stripped away this week as a new metal roof was installed.

Due to be finished next week, the roof project will complete the renovation of the town-owned Houston Barn, which was approved by voters in 2022. Work has been progressing throughout the last year.

Originally built in 1912, the barn belonged to the Houston family until the town purchased it 25 years ago.

Don Houston, who grew up with his two brothers on the farm where the barn stands, walks to the barn almost every day to photograph its transformation. 

“The family feels very, very lucky and very appreciative that the barn has been able to be kept,” Houston said this week.

With a budget of $875,000, renovation of the barn began in March of last year to raise the structure, redo the foundation and install a new roof.

In June, the barn was carefully lifted off its original foundation to make room for a new one. Since then it has been lowered onto the new foundation and been fitted with new doors on the lower level.

The barn serves several purposes for the town, including being used as a training space for the Fire Department and storage space for various town organizations.

Discussion about restoring the barn began when Hopkinton was awarded a Historic Barn Assessment Grant from the state’s Preservation Alliance in June 2021. 

An inspection revealed that the barn was in good condition overall, but over the years, it suffered damage to the flooring and the roof.

The Houston Barn Advisory Committee was established to devise a plan and explore various options for the renovation.