James and Tim Vadnais carried a wooden fanning mill that was stored in the North Barn on the historic Andrew Peterson farm.

Volunteers removed wood and farm equipment from the north barn of the historic Andrew Peterson farmstead, near Waconia, on Saturday, Oct. 15.

The work was part of efforts to stabilize the structure, built by Peterson, a Swedish pioneer.

Property owner Ward Holasek, along with a dozen volunteers including Tim, Carol, and James Vadnais, Burt Johnson, Wendy Biorn, Erin Anderson, Leanne Brown, Al Bongaard and county commissioners Tom Workman and Randy Maluchnik, spent the morning removing two wagon loads of old planks, wagon parts, and farm equipment from the barn’s main and upper levels.

Due to the forecast of 25 mph winds, a tarp was not installed on the roof, but will be when weather permits.