While driving home from the farmer’s market in Ft. Atkinson a few weeks ago, Mike and I followed some signs to a barn sale. We found a beautiful old barn filled with treasures galore. When we stepped inside the ladies running the sale were very welcoming. There were oodles of interesting items and a lot of variety. Furniture, jewelry, barn boards, tools, toys, sewing items, and a whole lot more. And the prices were reasonable.

In one of the small rooms at the end of the barn I noticed a large, lovely framed photograph of a bride. There was something familiar about her.

On the other side of the room I discovered a large framed photo of the barn I was standing in, with the family name Spangler.

This brought back memories of my friend Diane, a very talented quilter who used to take my classes in Watertown. I heard she had passed away a few years ago, and I was quite sure she lived on Hwy Y near Johnson Creek. And… one of the women who greeted us resembled her. So I went back to the front table and asked her if she was related to Diane Spangler. Not only was she Diane’s daughter Lynn, but we had actually met years before at WCTC where we were both teaching. What a small world! That was when Lynn said that when she first saw me she thought I looked familiar too. She introduced me to her sister Amy and we had a wonderful conversation. I actually know their brother Mike too, since I own 2 of his Tracey’s Tables!

Lynn showed me the family tree charts that were hanging in the room with the photographs and I learned that the farm had been in the family for 5 generations.

Note the stack of vintage ironing boards. I have one that I’ve used as a sideboard in my dining room for years.

I asked them about the sale. They said that they had moved back into the family homestead a few years ago and began going through Diane’s things. She had many nice vintage items and they didn’t want to have a simple garage sale. Then Lynn was given the responsibility for handling the estates of two different friends who had passed away, one of which was quite a collector (bordering on horder). They decided to have a Homestead Barn Sale and knew they had enough to run it all Summer long, as they continued to go through the estates.
I asked them if they had a schedule and this is what they sent me:
Our 2021 sale weekend schedule is set as follows:
June 10-13
June 24-27
July 15-18
July 29-August 1
August 12-15
August 26-29
September 9-12
September 23-26
September 30-October 3
We will be open for all sales on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays; 9 am to 5 pm Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and 9 am to 4 pm on Sundays.
We are located 1 mile south of Johnson Creek, just past Rob’s Motorsports. You can also find your way to our sale from Highway 18 near the former St. Coletta campus just east of Jefferson. Watch for the big pink signage. Our address is N5761 County Road Y, Johnson Creek. Sometimes GPS likes the street address as N5761 C-r Y better.
Please PULL INTO THE DRIVEWAY to park. Park on the grass if needed. Safety is of utmost importance. Don’t leave your pet in the car. Bring a leash. We usually add new items daily and definitely add new items for each sale. Come see what’s new at The Homestead Barn.
Koda (our 5 month old puppy) liked their dog friendly attitude! We went back this past weekend to take a few more photos (and buy a few more treasures).




Everything was neat and well organized. Lynn confided that her mom would be pleased to have her things displayed with this much love, and would have hated a jumbled rummage sale. Here are just a few of the treasures I brought home:

The book is a bridal shower gift. When I saw santa peeking out of the bottom of the jar of red buttons, I couldn’t resist it. The Sunbonnet Sue needle case will be a wonderful addition to my collection. There are actually 6 plates that coordinate but don’t match. And… don’t miss my new $3 ring. Very unique — and they had a lot of jewelry.
If you live in southeastern Wisconsin, I highly recommend taking a ride out in the country to visit Lynn and Amy. If you do, please let them know you heard about it here 😊.
Sue Joos says
Thanks for the wonderful information in this blog Kris!
" class="comment-author-link" rel="external nofollow" itemprop="url">Laurie Neubauer says
Wow, some of those things bring back memories. Did you find a featherweight? I saw a sewing machine on a table. So sad when the family has to reduce. Are they selling the farm (homestead) too?
Mary Ann Pegelow says
I met Diane on the way going to Paducah on the Badger Bus some where in the early 2000’s. Such a sweet lady.
Joanne Corrigan says
This sounds like a honest to goodness treasure hunt! And a Eureka moment or two! Thank you for the information !
Julie says
Great info as always Chris, thanks for sharing your knowledge and experiences with all of us. I love it,
Barbara Nordberg says
Love this. I work with Lynn for several years and would love to see her again.
Jeri Schulz says
Diane was my idol for a mother and grandmother. She did such unique presents for them. I was lucky to get to know Diane through Jan Thostenson’s quilt classes in Watertown MANY years ago, and Diane and I were 2 of the 6 to start the Quilters on the Rock guild in Watertown. I purchased one of her antique pincussions after her death, and I cherish it.
Thanks, Chris, for the tour down memory lane.
Jeri