Writing Back to Marville: The Magic of Barns

In the early 1900s, a young girl named Marville won a pony named Bouncer. Here is an excerpt from her letter:

When papa brought my pony home, all I could say was, “Isn’t she dear, isn’t she dear,” and I just wanted to kiss her, and let me whisper, I really did. Oh! who could help but love “Bouncer” at first sight. My two little sisters and two brothers were just as tickled as I was. She is a beauty — brown and white and just as quiet as a kitten. Since I got my pony I have dandy good times. I fetch up the cattle every evening and “Bouncer” rounds them up and seems to enjoy getting them home.

If I could write back to Marville, here is what I’d say:

Dear Marville “Bouncer,”

The barn in your picture looks beautiful. It stands big, strong, and proud.

A family beacon.

I bet that you could see it miles away when you were on your way home. Did it sit on top of a hill? I looks to be on the crest of a hill. I imagine you or your siblings exclaiming, “I see the barn!” and you all know that you will be home soon.

Even though the picture is black and white, I imagine that your barn was painted red.

How proud your family must have been of your picturesque barn!

It was (or, hopefully, IS) a gambrel roof barn. Did you and your family build it? Is there a rope inside that you can swing on from the rafters? I wish that I could see the inside of your barn. Are there horse stalls?

I wonder if your beautiful barn still stands today. I wonder if anyone in Douglas County, Minnesota recognizes this barn? I hope that this majestic barn still stands today and those who own it love it and appreciate it for its decades of service. In fact, it must be a century old.

Barns are such magical places. Barns are a microcosm of life. Birth, death, sickness, health, hard work, rest, dreams, disappointment, peace, and hope all happen under the roof of a barn.

And yet, the need for big old barns is waning. Sometimes, it is most cost-effective for families to tear their old barns down. It is heartbreaking to see a proud old barn giving way to the harsh elements with no human to care for it. Old wood barns are an architectural treasure.

Bouncer was a lucky pony to be able to find shelter in your family’s beautiful barn. You were lucky to make memories in the barn, too.

Warmly,

Regina