A family whose commitment to historic preservation shows in how they restored the structures on their 800-acre farm has been chosen to receive the 2025 John Arnold Award for Rural Preservation from Indiana Landmarks and Indiana Farm Bureau.
The Anderson family of Clinton County own and operate the grain farm and pick-your-own flower business southwest of Frankfort. Stan and Lois Anderson live in a historic home at the heart of the farmstead. Stan’s brother Don helps manage the farm operation, and brother Phil and an aunt are part landowners.
“The Anderson family’s intentional preservation of buildings on the Stine-Anderson Family Farm through adaption and continued use reflects the spirit of the Arnold Award,” Tommy Kleckner, director of Indiana Landmarks’ western regional office and Arnold Award coordinator, said in a news release.
Stan’s maternal grandparents, George and Delia Stine, bought the house and farm in 1944. Roughhewn timber in the room that serves as the farm office dates to the home’s construction in the late 1800s, the organization said. Leaded and art glass windows and a green tile surround on the fireplace reflect a Craftsman-style makeover in the early 20th century.
During a 2005 upgrade the family maintained the house’s original character, retaining pocket doors, Douglas fir and oak woodwork, and a grand staircase.
A historic smokehouse serves as additional office space, and a back patio features brick pavers salvaged from a school once attended by family members.
The flower business, launched in 2020, operates out of a historic scale building. A vintage Moline scale box sits nearby.
A century-old three-bay timber frame barn stands at the heart of farming operations. The landmark was selected in 2016 as one of 200 Bicentennial Barns to celebrate the state’s birthday and agrarian values.
“A certain degree of creativity goes into maintaining and redoing these farm buildings,” Phil Anderson said in the release. “It’s about repurposing them to be used in a different way while maintaining the farm’s heritage and viability.”
The award, named in memory of Rush County farmer John Arnold, will be presented to the Anderson family at 11 a.m. Aug. 7 during the Indiana Department of Agriculture’s Celebration of Agriculture at the Indiana State Fair.