The Bear River Heritage Area Barn Survey documents barns in Northern Utah and Southeastern Idaho through interviews, photographs, and fieldnotes. Criteria for documented barns included: fifty-years-old and older, those in fairly good condition, and barns with easy public viewing. The project goals included documenting the barn builders, describing the historic the uses of the barns, educating the public about the barns’ architectural features, cultural uses, and symbols. To this end, two separate self-guided tours explore the types of barns and history, as well as the methods of construction for the documented local barns.

During 2002-2004, the first wave of research was conducted in the three counties of northern Utah—Cache, Rich, and Box Elder. Fieldworkers included Alene Alder, Lisa Duskin-Goede, and Elaine Thatcher. During 2005-20016, the second wave of research was conducted in the four counties of southeastern Idaho—Oneida, Caribou, Bear Lake and Franklin. Fieldworkers included Lisa Duskin-Goede, Rachel Gianni, and Myrna Fuller.

Folklorist Elaine Thatcher was the lead scholar and directed both projects. Other scholars and consultants included Michael Johnson, Cindy Hall, Brian Crockett, Lisa Thompson, Tom Carter, Scott Christensen, David Sidwell, Roger Roper, Mont Bona, Robert Parson, and Larry Douglass. Numerous volunteers contributed their stories, opened their barns to tours, and provided other support.