Ribbon cutting held for Barn at Willow Oaks

PRESCOTT – Ribbon cutting ceremonies were held for The Barn at Willow Oak Acres Thursday morning.

The new venture, an event center located in a historic horse barn, has a 5,000 square foot grand hall and seating capacity for 200 people. Janice Wren, the owner, said when the family retired and sold the Fish Bowl they didn’t want to sit around doing nothing. They’d talked about doing something with the barn over the years and once they sold the restaurant, they revisited the barn issue.

Remodeling started in January 2020 and was finished by September. The work had literally just stopped when the first event, a wedding, was held there. The center includes a bridal suite, groom’s cottage, commercial kitchen, office and storage, along with the grand hall. Wren said business has been good and is starting to grow with the hall booked for events through the fall and winter already.

A good crowd was on hand for the ribbon cutting, as people were glad to be able to be out and about again. Wren welcomed everyone saying she appreciates their support during this past year, adding it’s been a tough year. She lauded Jamie Hillery, executive director of the Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce, saying she’s been a big help.

The barn, she continued, was built a long time ago and has gone through quite a change with the remodeling.

Judy Duke, curator of the Nevada County Depot and Museum, presented Wren with a plaque noting the barn as being on the National Historic Register. Duke said the barn was build in 1947 and primarily used as a training center for Tennessee walking horses. The original barn was demolished with the current barn built in its place. The ranch was, at one time, featured in the Prescott Daily Mail and had 47 horses at the time. The ranch was nationally known in the 40s and 50s with the most famous horse coming out of it being “White Star” a filly that won all known awards for walking horses.

The Wrens bought the farm in the 90s and raised thoroughbreds until 2010. In 2019, Duke said, she talked with them about getting the barn on the national registry. It was approved in May 2021.

Prescott Mayor Terry Oliver said the barn keeps getting bigger and better. He thanked the Wrens for their hard work and the commitment they put in and their investment in Prescott.