The Story

The Arborary began as a deeply personal project—first imagined as the setting for our own wedding. We wanted a place that felt humble, grounded, and uniquely ours, where people could gather without excess and spend meaningful time together, both indoors and out.

From the beginning, the goal was to create a space that encouraged slowing down—where meals stretch long, conversations linger, and the environment feels supportive rather than prescriptive. That original intention continues to guide how The Arborary is used today.

The Setting

Set on ten acres, The Arborary is housed in a restored Morton horse barn that was once abandoned and carefully rebuilt from the inside out. The original stalls were removed, usable materials were salvaged, and a new concrete slab was poured to support a clean, contemporary interior.

The resulting 1,000-square-foot space is open, adaptable, and intentionally minimal. Interior finishes are restrained and tactile, with a mono-material application of plywood throughout. Influenced by Scandinavian design principles and a love for hi-ply construction, the space offers a calm, neutral backdrop that allows gatherings to take shape naturally and without distraction.

At the center of the barn is a compact, open kitchen outfitted with an electric stove and oven, induction burners, sink, refrigerator, and dishware for up to 140 guests. More culinary studio than commercial kitchen, it supports chef-driven dinners, catered events, and hands-on programming with ease.

The Arborary includes professional interior and exterior sound systems, dance lighting, and seamless access between indoor and outdoor spaces. Permanent restrooms are planned for a future phase; in the meantime, events are supported by high-quality restroom trailers.

The Experience

When the barn doors are open, gatherings naturally extend into the surrounding landscape—native wildflower fields, wooded paths, and a spring-fed pond that invite guests to wander, pause, and settle in. The outdoor spaces are not an add-on, but an essential part of the experience.

Here, mornings may arrive with slow-moving fog and softened light. Afternoons stretch into long shadows. Guests drift along paths, gather quietly near the pond, or linger at the edges of the field, with the landscape unfolding around them.

This sense of ease and openness is what makes The Arborary an intimate place to gather; it’s shaped as much by season and light as by design.