The Village of Franklin has an unofficial slogan: "The town that time forgot." This photo essay explores how the villagers are working to keep that history intact through restoring and reusing the town's many barns.

While the barn wood home décor craze has seen outbuildings around Michigan torn down and stripped for their materials, the residents of Franklin have taken a different approach. With limited land available for new businesses in the historic township, many retail stores have renovated and repurposed old barns, giving them a new life and adding charm to the village. Joe Powers photographs five historic barns worth a closer look.