BarnMakers has its roots in the history of the Hanslin family.

In the late 1800s, Emil Anishanslin arrived from Basel, Switzerland with finish carpentry tools in hand. He found work as a carpenter and homebuilder in the St Louis, MO area. His son, Emil, went on to build a typical late 40's subdivision in St. Louis, then packed his profits in a suitcase and retired to the Rio Grand Valley town of Pharr, Texas. There Emil became a trusted investor and seller of farmland.

Years later, Emil Hanslin, followed his father's path building homes on Cape Cod, MA. In 1964, Emil built a barn for Eyore, the mule. Eyore and his barn were an adjunct to the sales center for the New Seabury development on Cape Cod. In 1968, his wife Suzanne Hanslin, a sculptor and equestrian, suggested that barn architecture could be the basis for a wonderful home. From this suggestion came Yankee Barn Homes and then later it's operating division known as BarnMakers. In 1987, Emil was noted by Time Magazine, as being one of seven "movers and shakers of the year."

In 1989, Emil's son; Tony, took over the management of the company. Yankee Barn Homes and BarnMakers continue to design and build post and beam buildings principally in the northeastern USA, but have ventured as far afield as California and Ireland. Tony's hope is to someday to build a barn over in Basel.