Grantham, NH: A pioneer and leader in the post and beam industry since their founding in 1969, Yankee Barn Homes is celebrating over 50 years of innovation and excellence this year. Five decades ago, Emil Hanslin and his wife Suzie, an equestrian, were inspired by barn architecture and felt it could be the basis for a wonderful home. With his Swiss roots and third generation carpentry skills, Emil set upon a concept of using reclaimed beams hewn from massive timbers. He designed a barn-style post and beam home package that could be assembled on a foundation in only five days, with unrivaled beauty, value, and efficiency. Using the finest materials for weather protection and energy conservation at a time when both ideas were rare, he set out to market his design, the Mark I. Emil built his first model home in New Seabury, MA, forming Yankee Barn Homes on February 14, 1969.
Quickly gaining a following across the east coast, the company was featured in Life Magazine in its first year, highlighting the revolutionary home design. In 1973, as growth and expansion continued, Yankee Barn Homes relocated northward to new and larger facilities in Grantham, New Hampshire, where they remain to this day.
Emil Hanslin was recognized by the National Association of Home Builders as one of American housing’s most influential leaders, and for half a century, Yankee Barn Homes’ pre-fabricated construction process, which embraces passive energy savings and progressive design ideas, has led the industry – and they continue to be the standard-bearers of excellence. Today, led by co-owners Paul Marinelli and Jeffrey Rosen, the company maintains its position at the helm of innovation. Developed in 1969, the company trademarked their roof and wall panel system in 1997. The True Panel System™ exponentially increases energy efficiency in every home. YBH designs now extend far beyond the humble beginnings of the Mark I, into virtually any architectural style: from contemporary barn home to farmhouse, cottage to mountain lodge.
“It is truly a privilege to celebrate this milestone, and to reflect on the experiences of the past fifty years,” says co-owner Paul Marinelli. “We set the bar high, and we continue to do so. We are honored – and challenged – by the reputation we’ve earned over the years, and by the customers we’re privileged to have. We’re grateful to all who’ve helped us reach this milestone, and we look forward to many more years to come.”
“We’ve built over 1,500 homes, and we treat each home we design and manufacture as if it were going to be our own,” says co-owner Jeffrey Rosen. “We have a focused passion for what we do that creates unrivaled quality. We know that our first homes built 50 years ago, are already standing the test of time. From a design and quality perspective, it’s critical for us draw on what we know, to look past the immediate, and to remember that what we create today will be enjoyed for generations to come, and should always be timeless.”
To celebrate their 50th anniversary, Yankee Barn Homes will be hosting a celebration event, to include private tours of several Yankee homes, culminating at their new model home, Springfield Barn Home, located in the community of Eastman, in Grantham, NH. Gift bags, lite fare, and background music will set the tone for the afternoon. Yankee Barn Homes’ staff is slated to speak and offer displays for viewing. A date for the event will be announced in late spring, 2019.
Yankee Barn Homes has earned a passionate following since its founding in 1969, and has built custom post and beam homes across the United States, including barn homes, farmhouses, cottages, coastal and mountain homes, carriage houses, and additions. The Grantham, NH–based company is known for their energy efficiency and dedication to sustainability. For more information on Yankee Barn Homes or for photos, floor plans, and information, please visit them online, follow them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, call (800) 258-9786 or email.