WHIPPOoRWILL ACADEMY AND VILLAGE EVENT BARN

Location: Ferguson, NC

Client: Whippoorwill Academy and Village

Set within the scenic hills of Ferguson, North Carolina, the new Event Barn at Whippoorwill Academy and Village is a bold yet respectful addition to a site dedicated to heritage, education, and community. Rooted in tradition yet designed for versatility, the barn creates a space for public gatherings, music performances, festivals, and educational programs—all essential to the mission of the Village.

A Celebration of Heritage and Craft

The architecture draws upon the rural vernacular of historic North Carolina barns, with an emphasis on authentic materials and form. The exterior is clad in reclaimed barn wood, salvaged from an existing structure on-site, giving the new building an immediate sense of time and place. Large barn doors and operable windows invite cross-ventilation and open connection to the landscape.

A wraparound “pickin’ porch” opens to a broad lawn, providing a flexible platform for outdoor concerts and shaded seating. Generous stairs and terraces welcome movement between levels and create opportunities for informal gatherings.

A Versatile Interior for Community Life

The vaulted main hall is framed by an exposed heavy timber structure, emphasizing the craft of construction and lending the interior a warm, tactile quality. Thoughtfully integrated support spaces—including a mezzanine and catering prep area—make the barn suitable for events ranging from school tours and art classes to weddings and public forums.

Natural light filters through clerestory windows and tall gables, animating the space throughout the day. Iron railings, sliding barn doors, spiral stairs, and custom chandeliers add layered character to the interiors while remaining grounded in regional craftsmanship.

Educational and Cultural Mission

Founded by educator Edith Carter to preserve the region’s rich history, Whippoorwill Academy and Village is a place where students of all ages explore the past to better understand the future. As a proud partner of the Blue Ridge Music Trails of North Carolina, the Village continues to offer immersive programs in history, music, and the arts.

The new Event Barn enhances this mission—providing a structure that not only supports programming but also becomes part of the story it helps to tell.

➡️ Learn more or plan your visit: www.whippoorwillacademy.com
🎶 Partner: Blue Ridge Music Trails of North Carolina