The Event Barn

Built around 1900, this barn stands as a testament to over a century of agricultural history. Over the years, the barn has served a variety of purposes—storing hay and sheltering dairy cows, draft horses, and sheep.

Originally built by the Dickinson family, the barn was designed for tobacco curing as part of their valley tobacco operation. Like many traditional barns of its kind, it featured hand-hewn beams, slatted sides, dirt floors, and lacked both plumbing and electricity. Poles ran through the structure to support hanging tobacco leaves, while the slats could be opened and closed to manage airflow during the curing process.

In the early 1920s, Frederick Wells, founder of Quonquont Stock & Dairy Farm, converted the barn for livestock and dairy use. A major transformation came in 1923 with the addition of a ceramic silo at the front of this barn, with two others added to the nearby dairy barn. All three silos are constructed from glazed ceramic blocks made by the National Fireproofing Co. (NATCO) in Pittsburgh, PA. These blocks, along with their steel frames, were shipped to Whately by train and assembled on-site.

Ceramic silos were a short-lived innovation of the 1910s–1920s. Ceramic block silos were considered an improvement over wooden silos because of their fire-, water-, rodent-, and frost-proof features. In 2021, these silos were painstakingly restored. Damaged masonry joints were removed and repaired, cracked tiles were replaced—luckily, we had extras on-site!

In the 1990s, the barn had been repurposed once again, this time for hay storage. To allow wagons to enter, several structural braces were removed. These braces have been restored, though a slight sag in the roofline remains. You can still see the original track system inside once used for moving loose hay.

In the early 1970s, Howard Hoxie planted the apple, peach, and blueberry orchards that still thrive today. This barn was used for equipment storage and housed several sheep. Since we purchased the 200-acre property in 2000, we’ve carried on the tradition of growing wholesome fruit for local families.

In 2011, we completed extensive renovations to the 100-year-old barn and proudly opened this lovely, historic space to host special events—blending agricultural heritage with modern celebration.

Beginning in 2009 the renovation of the event barn began. The renovations were completed by Michael Denehy of 18th Century Building Design and Restoration, a local builder who specializes in period construction. Using his expertise and the extraordinary vision of the farm owners, the space was transformed into the beautiful space you see today.

The two year renovation brought the barn down to the original framework and sub ceiling, which was carefully preserved. Over the years,  many of the structural braces of the timber frame barn had been removed, these were thoughtfully reconstructed to restore the barn’s integrity.  New siding, windows and doors were added to achieve the look you see today.

The floors, orgininally dirt, were dug out, new footings were poured under all the beams and a solid concrete slab was poured throughout the barn, then stained and polished to give the space a refined patina. Modern amenities – AC, plumbing, and updated electrical systems – were added throughout the building.

In the back wing of the event barn, where the kitchen and restrooms are now located, there were horse stalls. During the renovation of this space,  6″ gray clay floors were discovered, very high end for horse stall at that time.  The stall dividers that were removed from this section have been repurposed. You will see them on our hanging sign brackets, and the backs of planters, located on the east end of the patio.

Originally, a 30′ x 60′ “L” wing extended off the west end of the barn, mirroring the current kitchen and restroom wing. This was a more recent addition to the barn and was used to raise sheep. It was removed during renovation to make space for the expansive Goshen stone patio that now welcomes guests.

Michael Denehy has also completed renovations in the farmhouse (dressing suite) and farmstand.

The event barn is now used for private events from May- October.

Quonquont is a classic New England farm, where old-fashioned apple orchards, rambling blueberry patches, sparkling ponds, flowering meadows, and forested uplands provide a beautiful backdrop for your special day. Whether you are expecting 200 guests or 10, our historic barn, post and beam pavilion, intimate gardens, and lush landscape provide the perfect setting for any celebration.