Whippoorwill Hill - Event Venue

In 2016, a local architect approached us with an intriguing proposal: they asked if we would be interested in preparing the construction documents for a unique wedding event barn, which would ultimately be submitted to the state board for approval. What made this project especially remarkable was the barn’s history as it was the Tate-Tatum property located in Sanders, Indiana. It was originally located in Manilla, Indiana, and the plan was to carefully dismantle and relocate the entire structure to Bloomington, Indiana. Our involvement would help bring this vision to life, transforming a cherished historic barn into a new gathering place for celebrations in its new home.

As the barn in Manilla was being carefully dismantled, contractors had already begun work on constructing the new commercial event barn. The project was well underway, with the sturdy foundation concrete support columns installed—these columns were specifically designed to support the existing wooden structural beams that would eventually form the frame of the new barn. This coordinated effort ensured a seamless transition between the removal of the old barn and the rise of the new facility, allowing progress to continue without delay.

Every element related to the structure’s foundation was meticulously documented on site, ensuring that all visible details would be accurately transferred into digital format for the creation of the existing foundation plan. This process included recording the presence of the elongated Simpson Strong-Tie metal connectors, essential for anchoring the historic wooden support columns to the newly poured concrete base at Whippoorwill Hill in Bloomington, Indiana.

To further ensure precision, I conducted a thorough field survey, sketching and measuring each column’s position as well as the underlying concrete supports. These carefully detailed sketches served to verify and cross-check the exact locations and specifications, contributing to a comprehensive record of the foundation’s current state. The combination of on-site observation, methodical documentation, and precise measurements formed the backbone of the entire foundation assessment, laying the groundwork for both restoration and future planning.

Surrounded by the sweeping expanse of private farmland at Whippoorwill Hill, I find myself blessed with an office view that truly defies comparison. The rolling fields stretch out under a vast sky, casting a sense of tranquility over everything. Sunlight bathes the landscape, illuminating rows of crops and wildflowers swaying gently in the breeze. The quiet hum of nature offers a soothing backdrop, making each moment spent at my makeshift desk a reminder of how remarkable it is to work amid such peace. Today, it feels as though my workspace has been transformed into a retreat, where productivity harmonizes with the beauty of the countryside—an experience that simply can’t be matched by any traditional office.

Currently, the eastern wooden bent of the main barn structure at Whippoorwill Hill is being carefully reconstructed. The framing contractors are diligently at work, methodically reassembling each piece that was relocated during the move. While much progress has been made, several of the supporting members flanking one side of the structure have yet to be erected. This meticulous process highlights both the craftsmanship involved and the dedication to preserving the barn’s historical integrity, ensuring that every detail aligns seamlessly with the original design.

Each wooden structural frame member of the barn at Whippoorwill Hill is carefully joined to the next using traditional mortise-and-tenon techniques, forming solid, interlocking joints that stand in stark contrast to the methods of modern platform framing. To ensure safety during construction, temporary bracing has been installed, holding the structure securely in place and preventing any unwanted shifting as the barn rises. Observed from afar, the timbers appear almost modest in size, but approaching them reveals their impressive scale and craftsmanship—massive beams that speak to both the artistry and ingenuity of traditional barn building.

The concrete contractors are finishing up the last bay of the concrete slab at Whippoorwill Hill.  While the concrete truck distributes the material with the boom, one contractor is spreading out the material while the other is ‘pumping’ the material to evenly distribute it.

A concrete bull-float is used to level the surface of the wet concrete in order to give a smooth surface prior to curing.  In the upper left hand corner one of the contractors is hand troweling in one of the control joints that in the case of a crack, the joint is where the crack in the concrete will happen.

A view from the north looking south showing the wide open space of the farm.  In the far distance to the right you can see the historic Tate-Tatum farmhouse that would be field measured for renovation in the future.

The contractors are busy adding the new rough cut vertical wood siding boards to enclose the historic barn structure.  Each vertical wood board is installed with a 2″ vertical wood batten creating the historic barn look as it originally was constructed.

Inside the barn, you can now see the newly installed ceiling, which features rough-sawn wood rafters and deck boards. The rustic, un-planed texture of the wood is on full display, giving the ceiling a natural, authentic look. This newly completed element provides a striking visual focal point when you look up, highlighting the barn’s structural beauty and contributing to its warm, rustic character.

A ledger board has been integrated into the design and installed on both sides of the barn. This key structural element is in place to support the future construction of two covered porches, which will be added at a later date. These porches are planned to expand the event space, offering additional covered areas for guests. The installation of the ledger board now ensures that the future construction will be a seamless and efficient process.

The primary wood flooring on the second floor has been completely installed, setting the stage for the final touches. The remaining work is focused on completing a few key safety and aesthetic components.

Specifically, the installation team needs to finish two egress stairs that are required for emergency exits, as well as several sections of railing. Once these essential safety features are in place, the venue will be fully compliant and ready to begin hosting events. The completion of these final steps will mark the end of the main construction phase, allowing the space to transition from a work site to a fully functional and elegant location for weddings and other events.

In the spring of 2017, the historic barn structure at Whippoorwill Hill completed Phase 1 that involved only the main barn.

In the fall of 2017, we finalized the construction drawings for Phase 2, which focused on adding a large, wrap-around covered patio areas that flanked each side. This new porch was designed to extend along the north, west, and south sides of the building, significantly expanding the outdoor covered space for the patrons.

A separate, later addition was also planned to be integrated into the structure. However, the architectural drawings for that particular part of the project were handled by a different local firm, not by our team.

By September of 2018, the new asphalt parking lots were added and the wrap-around patio structures were constructed.