Kroeger returns to debut Shelby County barn paintings

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SIDNEY — The County Wide Historical Alliance will welcome artist and author Robert Kroeger, of Cincinnati, to the Ross Historical Center on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, at 4 p.m.

Last fall, the Alliance selected a historic barn from each township in Shelby County for Kroeger to photograph and then paint. While Kroeger was painting the barns, he was also working with the Alliance and the owner of the barns to write a history about each. Kroeger centered his research around the time period the barns were built while the Alliance and the owners focused on the families and memories created in each barns. Krueger’s images and the histories were placed together by Sharon Mohrbacher of the Shelby County Historical Society to create a 2024 Historic Shelby County Barn calendar and a set of 14 note cards.

The Alliance will be offering these calendars and note cards at $10 each. All pre-ordered calendars and note cards can be picked up at the Ross Historical Center on Wednesday April 12, 2023, beginning at 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. The Shelby County Barn Calendars and note cards will be available for sale at the following locations: Anna District Historical Society, Botkins Historical Society, Fort Loramie Historical Association, Jackson Center Historical Society and the Shelby County Historical Society.

Kroeger is excited to return to Shelby County so he can share his original Shelby County barn paintings with the community. On Wednesday April 12, 2023, beginning at 4 p.m. he will again do a painting demonstration similar to the one he did last April. At about 5:30 p.m., he will share some barn stories, and he will end the evening by doing a book signing of his latest book Round Barns of America, which includes 75 barns from around the United States. During the event all 14 paintings that he created for the calendar will be on display so that you will be able to vote on your favorite painting for $1 per vote.

“It has been such a pleasure to work with The County Wide Historical Alliance, Inc. I believe that they are one of the most innovative groups in the state of Ohio working to preserve history. Wherever I travel it is with great pride that I share information about the Alliance and how honored I am to help them with their preservation efforts though I did make them agree that when I return to do my next Shelby County Barn tour, I want them to show me barns that need love and tender care. The barns I had the privilege to paint this time belong to residents who are doing a wonderful job of preserving their barns for future generation.”

At the close of the April 12, 202, event, Kroeger will be donating all 14 original paintings to the Alliance to be auctioned off by Shelby County auctioneer Troy Kies using his online auction service during the Shelby County Fair.

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