When I shared the post about the big, white barn in Fowlerville, Mich., I had no idea how big the response would be. The fantastic story in Farm Progress written by barn enthusiast Jan Corey Arnett chronicled the history of the grand spread of Meadow Brook Farm. Built by Matilida Dodge-Wilson, the farm began with Belgian horses then was home to Premier Angus cattle and now those green pastures are rows of corn, soybeans and wheat grown by the VanGilder Family. The late Fred VanGilder owned most of the ground that made up Meadow Brook Farm, but he wanted the whole thing and gave up valuable tillable acres to acquire the nucleus of the farm that included all the buildings and the remaining 60 acres.

The Facebook post sharing the story by Arnett gained traction as people from all over the Midwest began to share their connection with Meadow Brook. From a Hackney breeder in New York to a Holstein breeder in Indiana to a daughter of a Belgian breeder in the U.P., it seemed the big, white barn at Meadow Brook had quickened the sentimental hearts of its admirers near and far.

This reaction spurred action from the VanGilder family, and they planned a Meadow Brook reunion. Those who had lived, worked or whose parents were involved at the farm were invited to spend an afternoon in the barn where world famous Belgian horses and renowned Angus cattle were raised with great care.

Hugs, laughter and storytelling filled the afternoon that would take every generation back in time when they were involved with farm. Whether it was Mr. Jerry Jorgenson who talked about Ira Wilson’s dairy farm that once graced that Grand River curve or Mrs. Jean Haarer, who spoke of the adventures she and her husband, Jerry, had while working for Premier Angus, each one took us on a trip down memory lane.

When it was time to tour the offices upstairs in the old hay mow, the children of those who worked there were anxious to see what their father’s office looked like now. As they walked down the long hallway, they peered into the large room that housed the computer and remarked at how their cell phone has more processing power than the monstrous machine that was once in that room.

Walking further down the hall they looked for a certain wallpaper that would identify Haarer’s office and the rather loud 1970s carpet, still in pristine condition, in Bob Bohlen’s old office. The conference room at the end of the hay mow had not changed much either. Looking out of the floor to ceiling windows of the barn, these adults were taken back to their childhood as they gazed across the fields at the familiar landscape. Dick Bates’ daughter, Jill Langenderfer, took her children around the outside of the barn to show them where she had spent her fun summer days on the farm.

The chewing and scratching scars from the Belgian horses could still be seen on the mahogany stained stalls and served as a reminder of why this hallowed barn was built. This is a landmark for the beautiful horses, the finest Registered Angus cattle and the men and women who spent hours tending to the livestock, marketing the genetics, and influencing breeding trends that can still be appreciated five decades later.

I am confident that everyone who enjoyed that Sunday afternoon is thankful for the VanGilder family for not only hosting the reunion that brought so many together, but for maintaining that big, white barn and the entire Meadow Brook Farm as a crown jewel of Michigan’s agriculture.