By AMY ADAMS
news@readthereporter.com
The beautiful red barn north of Eagletown marks the land of the Reynolds family. With the year 1888 emblazoned across the roof, the barn has not only stood witness to nearly 135 years of change in the outskirts of Westfield, but it also holds a collection of that history inside.
Though the barn is not open to the public, owner Randy Reynolds welcomed around 40 people on Tuesday, Oct. 15, at an event hosted by the Westfield Washington Historical Society. Refreshments were served as guests milled around, inside and out, taking in the Reynolds family’s collection.
“I just think there are so many unique items here, and people have driven by the barn for years not knowing what’s here,” WWHS Program Coordinator Barbara Day said. “It’s kind of a little gem.”
Reynolds’ model tractor collection is pristine. (Reporter photo by Amy Adams)
Randy Reynolds’ great-grandparents built the house where he has lived since 1980, but the family began collecting long before he moved in. Reynolds even ran an antique store for a while.
“I just had too much,” Reynolds said. “I was renting four buildings to keep my junk in. I had an auction and sold 99 percent of my stuff.”
The remaining one percent that Reynolds chose to keep consists of family heirlooms.
Adding onto the original barn, Reynolds created a space so that his family’s collection could be viewed and enjoyed.
“Everything in here has a history to it,” Reynolds said.
Each of the hundreds of items has been carefully cleaned and restored and placed in just the perfect spot for viewing.
Display cases hold everything from a worn book from the 1860s that belonged to Reynolds’ great-great-grandmother to a shiny red bicycle that was given to his mother on her 13th birthday.
Reynolds’ father worked with Oldsmobile in Noblesville, so there’s a collection of Oldsmobile paraphernalia. His father later painted tractors, so there’s a sizable collection of miniature tractors.
Coca-Cola. International Harvester. Corvette. Whizzer. Cub Cadet. These brand names and more fill the space from floor to ceiling.
“I didn’t make it big enough,” Reynolds said. “I can always make it bigger later on.”
Up until closing his shop in August, Reynolds worked on cars. But even in retirement, he stays busy.
“I still have projects,” he said.
One of those projects is restoring the Corvette he bought the week he graduated from high school.
Glass display cases hold items that speak to the history of a Midwestern farming community. (Reporter photo by Amy Adams)
Hi Randy!! What a thrill to see this article. We were in awe the first time you showed us. Glad you finally retired.