04/01/2026
✨ Here at the Maplewood Area Historical Society, we believe that historic preservation doesn’t have to be dull. Sometimes, it should sparkle. ✨
In your upcoming visits, you might notice the iconic Big Red Barn of the Bruentrup Heritage Farm catching the light a little differently.
That's because after listening to community feedback regarding our previous purple paint job, we’ve decided to take the next logical step: We have officially covered the entire exterior of the barn in loose glitter.
"I personally think the barn looks radiant," said local resident Mabel Leafe. "It really captures the spirit of the era, provided that era is the forsaken pile of glitter on the floor of a 2000s kindergarten classroom."
Was this historically accurate?
Absolutely not.
Was this a cleanup nightmare?
Yes. We only just learned what micro plastics are and we are very very sorry.
It took us 142,800 individual jars of 'Galaxy Dust' and 'Holographic Glimmer' craft glitter, applied by hand using 15,040 bottles of white school glue, to achieve this unique shimmering effect.
Recent windy days hampered our progress and caused glitter-induced eye injuries to several volunteers, but we were able to finish just in time for spring and tonight’s snow storm.
Our focus groups consisted of the same kindergarten and first grade students we polled last year. Our research committee did tell the students that “glitter wasn't a color,” but honestly, who could say no?
Local Maplewood resident, John S. Maple, who previously suggested gold accents, went on record to say he was overwhelmed by the update.
"I remember saying I hoped they would add some glittery gold paint around the doorways to make last year's purple paint job into something more Vikings themed. This is not what I meant.”
“I didn’t think they would glitter the roof. And the siding. And the milk house. You can see the reflection from space now, and on the approach to MSP. It’s a bold choice for a historic German dairy farm, but I guess I can honestly say I haven't seen anything like it before in my life."
The Maplewood Area Historical Society is still in the process of trying to acquire unicorns for the upcoming unicorn dairy exhibit, which has been delayed due to the profound lack of magical pony creatures available on the market.
