Los Altos Town Crier » New barn doors bolster town supporters’ commitment toward preserving historic Westwind Barn

By Town Crier Staff Report

$Image from article New barn doors bolster town<br /> supporters\' commitment toward<br /> preserving historic Westwind Barn$
The new door is in the traditional style of the barn. Celebrating the new improvements are project manager Sharon Seeley, Los Altos Hills Mayor Mike O’Malley and O’Malley’s horse, Oneil.

Supporters of Westwind Community Barn recently donated eight new doors for the historic Westwind Barn located on Altamont Road in Los Altos Hills.

Jeanne Seeley, representing the supporters and manager for the project, presented the gift to Los Altos Hills Mayor Mike O’Malley, who accepted on behalf of the city, which owns the barn. The doors are a symbol of the opening of the barn to the entire community, supporters said.

All aisle and hayloft doors, most of which were original construction and nearly 65 years old, were replaced with doors in the traditional style of the barn.

Supporters said the project represents the cooperative efforts of the public and the private sectors.

The group has raised $150,000 to date and contributed $20,000 of that for the doors. Supporters raised the money through their Kentucky Derby Day fund-raiser, as well as grants from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the L.J. and Mary Skaggs Foundation, and the Bay Area Barns and Trails Trust.

The city contributed $10,000 to the project.

Supporters intend to give future grants to Los Altos Hills for a community room at the barn and to the city’s parks and recreation department for program development. Creating public access to the barn is a part of the supporters’ mission.

Westwind Barn has a colorful history. In 1975 the city bought the barn, which dates from the early 1940s, from Countess Margit Bessenjey, who donated the remaining 13.5 acres to the city. The property neighbors 55-acre Byrne Preserve, donated by Dr. Paul Byrne for use as public open space.

A 4-H handicapped Riding Program has operated out of the barn for more than 25 years. The barn is also the site of a U.S. Pony Club chapter, an Ohlone nature camp, an annual Home For the Holidays crafts sale and riding instruction for residents.

Supporters of Westwind Community Barn is a co-sponsor of an Earth Day event, to be held Sunday at the barn. The group is a non-profit 501(C)(3) foundation created in 2003. Its mission is restoration of the barn, creation of a permanent space at the barn for arts and environmental programs for the community and preservation of the site’s natural environment.

The group’s primary fund-raising event, Kentucky Derby Day at Maple Leaf Farm, will be held noon to 4 p.m., May 7, in Los Altos Hills.

For tickets and information, call 941-9503, e-mail info@westwindsupporters.org or log on to www.westwindsupporters.org.