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T H E M E D A L L I O N M A N O R
Since announcing the purchase of the historic barn on Facebook and Instagram, the Cikowski's have received hundreds of messages from people sharing their personal memories of the barn.
There are stories of engagements and prom dinners, picking grapes off of the vines when they were young and participating in the annual Grape Stomp and many more.
That's when they knew that this was much more than an average renovation project.
The Vision
Photo: Jennifer Ginger Photography
We are hearing more stories lately of triumph amidst the pandemic. People starting businesses that have thrived despite the shutdowns, relationships flourishing over Zoom calls, and treasures discovered after being overlooked by others. This is one such story. After perusing Facebook Marketplace in 2020, Kristy Cikowski came across an old barn for sale. It had not been lived in for over 70 years and had last been used as a commercial space.
Located outside of La Porte, Indiana, along the “Horse Corridor” , the structure dated back to 1920, when it was originally used as a dairy farm and hay barn. Over the ensuing years it would find new life as a winery, and a series of restaurants and bars, until it came across Kristy ’s Facebook page on that fateful summer day.
The rustic red exterior was a mix of deferred maintenance and country charm. She was able to see past the distressed and weathered boards to the potential that lay just beyond the old stained-glass windows.
"Jozef, Kailey & Kaiden CiKowski
Drone shot by: Matt Bryja
"The Horse Corridor" in La Porte
While many others may have kept scrolling, Kristy found herself drawn to the property. She immediately sent the photo to her husband Dan and half-jokingly said they should buy it. To her surprise, he agreed, and the two embarked on what has turned out to be quite the adventure.
There is a great deal of thought and planning that goes into restoration projects of this scale. It is not for the faint of heart, nor is it for those whose only foray into construction is making an accent wall out of discarded wood crates. Fortunately, the Cikowski's possessed the skills and knowledge needed to undertake the massive restoration project. Dan is a contractor and owner of The Medallion Corporation, established in 1992 by his father Jozef. Jozef, a respected member in the Polish community, grew up on a farm in Poland and moved to the states in 1981 with his wife Ann. In 2006 Dan joined his father’s company and together they worked on residential projects for clients, as well as personal investments of their own.
When presented with the opportunity to work with his son and daughter-in-law on The Medallion Manor, Jozef enthusiastically agreed. To their surprise, the couples 2 young children; Kaiden 8, and Kailey, 6, were just as excited about the restoration, making the project a true family affair.
Dan and Kristy knew there could be risks and challenges involved in purchasing the barn As-Is, however, they were intrigued about becoming a part of its rich history. It wasn’t until Kristy reached out to the community on social media that she realized the depth of the barns history and the lives touched along the way.
“I started to receive so many messages from people within the community who had wonderful memories from the barn. ” Kristy explained. The more stories she uncovered, the more determined she became to share them with others. They discovered during its heyday, as a winery, it produced award winning wines. “The first champagne in Indiana was made at the Banholzer Wine Cellars. ” Kristy explained. During these years celebrities and politicians alike visited La Porte to partake in the winery ’s creations. “Can you believe that both Ronald Reagan and Ringo Starr were here?” Kristy excitedly shared.
Those two were not the only well known people to grace the halls of The Medallion Manor. During its time as the upscale eatery, La Chateau, it is rumored that none other than Oprah herself dined there.
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Some believe that every person who has inhabited, or even visited a home, leaves their mark, and a million stories to uncover.
Photos:Jennifer Ginger Photography
While it is exciting to discover that famous people once visited the barn, Kristy became even more intrigued by the stories of locals who had so many memories rooted in the barns history.
That is the beauty of old homes and buildings. They have borne witness to the everyday milestones of the generations of families and communities in which they have been a part of.
It is easy to imagine the celebrations of weddings and births, moments of loss and grief that may have been experienced there.
There are pieces of the past everywhere you look inside The Medallion Manor. It is in the warmth of the rich beams and posts of the interior, deeply etched with the passing of time.
It is in the stories that Kristy has collected, and it can be found in her dedication to retaining and honoring the history. That is why the plan the Cikowski's had for the barn has evolved into something much different, and much more rewarding, than what it was the days after first finding the listing.
"Our original plan was to do a full restoration and renovation, then sell. We then quickly started uncovering the barn's past, through people reaching out to us on social media. " Kristy explains. "Since learning about it’s amazing history, and the stories the barn has to tell, we decided to keep it to enjoy for our own family and friends, as well as to rent out as a luxury vacation rental. We want to create a place that tells the barns story . Each room will have pieces of the 100 year history integrated into the design; including old newspaper articles and artifacts.
Olivia Searfoss Design
The plans include luxury add-on options like catering, wine tastings from local wineries, and an outdoor event space. They also hope that The Medallion Manor will be the go-to place for guests to stay when they are in town for weddings and other local events.
With its proximity to the Indiana/Michigan border and only 15 minutes from the shores of Lake Michigan and area wineries, it is a location that will be desirable for many visiting the area. In addition, beautiful downtown La Porte is well worth exploring during a visit.
While implementing their design, the Cikowski's plan on being very mindful of preserving the history of the barn. They recognize that it is an integral part of not only the barn itself, but the people and the town that surround it.
Older homes and buildings are at the heart of their communities. They are part of the aesthetic and cultural history of a city, helping to give its inhabitants a sense of place and connection to the past. Dan and Kristy recognize this old barn is permanently woven into the fabric of La Porte. They are honored to become a part of the broader tapestry and create something that they, their family ,and the city, can be proud of.
Follow the Progress● www.facebook.com/TheMedallionManor ● www.instagram.com/themedallionmanor
Olivia Searfoss Design
