Stop by Camp Furnace Hills in Lancaster County, and you’ll see history coming back to life.

Workers are rebuilding a historic barn on the property, thanks to Robert Ackerman, who is honoring his late wife, Carole “Alfi” Ackerman, through this project.

Carole, a lifelong Girl Scout, actively contributed to programs at Camp Furnace Hills, especially the historical activities offered at the 19th-century Foxfire House and barn. A storm leveled the barn in 2017, leaving Carole devastated. Carole passed away in 2023.

Bob searched for a meaningful way to preserve her legacy and her dedication to Girl Scouts. He partnered with Girl Scouts in the Heart of PA to rebuild the barn and reopen it for programming.

According to William Folk, Director of Camp Property for Girl Scouts in the Heart of PA, the barn build is a little more than halfway done.

“The outside is almost completed,” Folk said. “We laid the foundation, finished the stone work on the exterior, and now we’re focusing on the roof and interior of the building.” He added that the original stone was removed before the demolition of the barn, and it has been reinstalled on the new barn.

Work still to be completed includes installing period-specific tempered windows, new doors and flooring materials, all chosen to mimic the barn’s original details.

The original two-story barn offered program space on both levels, connected by interior stairs. While the rebuild won’t include interior stairs, Folk said the project will still pay tribute to this element.

“Where the steps used to be, we’ll be highlighting that in some way,” he said. “Without the interior stairs, we’ll be able to add more programming space inside.”

An upper level will still be included in the new barn, but it will only be accessible from an outside entrance, he said.

“With this design, we will be able to have two programs going at once, so that is really cool and unique,” Folk said. Small-group programming will be held for up to 25 people on each floor.

Lancaster-based Caldwell, Heckles & Egan, Inc. is the general contractor for the barn project. Although weather has caused a few delays in the work, a late spring open is tentatively set for the barn.

“It really looks like it’s becoming a useable barn again, which is exciting,” Folk said. “Now you’re starting to see the vision of what we’re doing and how we’ll be able to use this space as part of the Foxfire House experience.”

To follow along with the progress of the barn, join the Facebook group “Historical Barn at Foxfire House.”