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A group of friends is trying to find the funding to save an important part of their community, and the plan they've "stitched" together is being put into action this week at the Central Montana Fair in Lewistown.

The "Save The Barns" group wants to repair two large barns at the north end of the fairgrounds that are badly damaged.

To raise money, the members are selling raffle tickets to win a hand-made wall hanging. The group needs at least $60,000 to start the project, and have raised $51,000 so far.

Members say the 100-year old buildings are part of Lewistown's history; Shelly Van Haur said, "People come up to us and I say, 'I have driven by those barns my whole life and I never knew their history'. That was the original Central Montana Livestock Auction. Rail road spurs came right by there, cows went and came on the train, people actually sold animals through that auction."

An auction is planned for September 25th to help raise more money for the barn renovations.

Van Haur says construction should begin by October 1st.