AS ONE can see, the Nielson barn dates back to 1908 and sits on the Nielson family farmplace southwest of Woonsocket. Robert “Bobby” Nielson most recently lived at the site, until a housefire took his life in June of 2012. The place is now in the hands of Bobby’s daughter, Crystal and Jim Pazour of Pukwana.

PIERRE — A matching grant for work on the L.P. Nielson Barn near Woonsocket was recently awarded by the South Dakota State Historical Society.
“This was the 16th year for this historic preservation grants program,” said Jay D. Vogt, society director. “In 2013 we awarded over $126,700 between 11 projects which will result in a total public-private investment of over $253,400. This program is designed to encourage restoration or rehabilitation of historic properties and is one more way we can promote and protect our history and culture.”
L.P. Nielson Barn will receive $16,000 to supplement repairs to and reinforcement of the stone foundation and in-kind roof replacement.  Built in 1908, the barn was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005 as a fine architectural example of a Feeder barn. Feeder barns were utilized during the early 1900s to accommodate the agricultural practices of early settlers in eastern South Dakota.
The grants are awarded through the State Historical Society’s Deadwood Fund grant program. Funding for the program is from Deadwood gaming revenue earmarked by state law for historic preservation projects throughout the state. The program is administered by the State Historic Preservation Office at the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre.
The following projects were also awarded Deadwood Fund grants:
• Aberdeen: Brown County Courthouse, $16,000 to supplement stained glass window repair;
• Iroquois: Bank of Iroquois Building, $16,000 to supplement roof replacement, window restoration and re-pointing;
• Sioux Falls: Quartzite Paver Alley, $16,000 to supplement removing the paving stones, laying a concrete subsurface and relaying the pavers.
Deadwood Fund grants are awarded twice a year with grant application deadlines of Feb. 1 and Oct. 1. They are reviewed at the spring and winter meetings of the State Historical Society’s board of trustees. For more information on the Deadwood Fund grant program, contact the State Historic Preservation Office at the Cultural Heritage Center, 900 Governors Drive, Pierre, SD 57501-2217; telephone (605) 773-3458; or Web site history.sd.gov/Preservation.
The South Dakota State Historical Society is a division of the Department of Tourism. The Department of Tourism is comprised of Tourism, the South Dakota Arts Council and the State Historical Society. The Department is led by Secretary James D. Hagen. The State Historical Society, an Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, is headquartered at the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre. The center houses the society’s world-class museum, the archives and the historic preservation, publishing and administrative/development offices. Call (605) 773-3458 or visit history.sd.gov for more information. The society also has an archaeology office in Rapid City; call (605) 394-1936 for more information.