About the Venue
Whippoorwill Hill sits on a picturesque 156-acre farm in Bloomington, Indiana, where history, family, and the beauty of nature come together. Established well over 200 years ago, the property features a lovingly preserved farmhouse and a historic double-crib barn - both listed on the national register of historic place - with the iconic wedding barn relocated and restored to serve as the venue’s centerpiece.
This working family farm has grown into a space that celebrates its agricultural roots while serving as the backdrop to unforgettable weddings and events.
At its heart, Whippoorwill Hill is a working farm, committed to sustainability and preserving the land’s natural beauty, offering guests a place to gather, celebrate, and create life’s lasting memories.
About the Wedding Barn
Originally built in 1892 in Manilla, Indiana, The Russell Barn is a stunning example of historic preservation and adaptive reuse as a wedding venue. Purchased and relocated to Bloomington in 2016 by its current owners, the barn underwent an extensive restoration process led by Indiana Barns, LLC.
Despite its deteriorated condition, the barn’s unique timber frame was carefully disassembled, treated, and rebuilt at its new site to retain its original character. Notably, much of the salvaged wood from the Manilla site was repurposed, including siding used as decking, and the barn's design was enhanced with modern structural supports and custom additions, such as 15-foot barn doors and a second-floor steel platform.
The result is a blend of historic charm and functional updates, providing a one-of-a-kind venue that celebrates Indiana's rural heritage.
Agricultural Endeavors
Whippoorwill Hill sits at the heart of the oldest working farm in Monroe County. Dating back to 1822, this land has been farmed for multiple generations.
Jeff farms the nearly thirty acres at the entrance of the farm in an annual crop rotation of corn and soybeans. Much of the rest of the farm is pasture and actively used to raise livestock or used to cut hay.
Currently, Jeff, Anne and their three sons, care for nearly forty head of cattle, over twenty chickens, three horses, a pony, a donkey, two dogs, and a cat. If you time your tour just right, you might get to take home some farm fresh eggs!
Jeff & Anne’s Story
Jeff and I met in late 2012, bonding over our shared love for family, food, and farming. Our relationship naturally grew into a team dynamic with my son, Slate, and me frequently visiting Jeff’s family farm in Brownstown. Over time, we decided to find a farm in Bloomington to be closer to my family and Slate’s school. In August 2015, during a casual drive, we stumbled upon a charming farm for sale on Fairfax Road.
The breathtaking view and nostalgic charm won us over, and we closed on the property in October 2015. Shortly after, Jeff proposed to Slate and me marking the start of our journey to transform the farm into a special place for our family and, eventually, for others to celebrate. The farm’s overgrown state didn’t deter us from dreaming big. What started as a wedding venue vision for our October 8, 2016, wedding evolved into a plan to protect and share the farm's historical significance through an event center.
The Russell Barn, a historic structure from Manilla, Indiana, became the centerpiece of our venue after we relocated and restored it. Though unfinished at the time of our wedding, the barn’s timber frame and the farm’s magic created an unforgettable experience. Today, the farm is a labor of love, where we live, work, and play as a family. It’s our mission to recreate that same sense of joy and nostalgia for every customer who celebrates here.