DeKALB | The Joseph F. Glidden Homestead & Historical Center, 921 W. Lincoln Hwy., will open a new welcome center this year.

The welcome center serves to tie parts of the property together, including the brick barn, blacksmith shop and house, said board member Jim Morel.

“We had an ongoing problem on how to introduce visitors [to the homestead],” Morel said. “There was no good area to start the tour with.”

The new welcome center will serve as office space as well, moving offices out of the house, Morel said.

“We can repurpose the current office space for more exhibits,” Morel said.

Renovation began on the new welcome center last fall, Morel said.

The welcome center open at the Open House – Open Barn event from noon to 4 p.m. on May 22.

The day gives visitors a chance to see the inside of the historical barn where barbed wire was first invented and produced, according to a press release.

It also marks the beginning of the regular tour season, said past president Kathy Siebrasse.

The Glidden Center will also change hours this year. It will be open from June to October on the second and fourth Sunday of each month from noon to 4 p.m., as well as every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to the press release.

The Glidden Center is also looking for volunteers for the tour season, Siebrasse said.

“We operate with 20 to 25 volunteers per year,” Siebrasse said. “Volunteers can do a whole variety of things including guiding tours, historical research, working in the blacksmith shop and many other things.”

The welcome center was funded by a combination of grants, private donations and fundraising. The Historical Center is still looking for and accepting donations. The welcome center will be completed after more donations are received, Morel said.