The Barn Inn Bed and Breakfast is located in Millersburg, Ohio, and is in the center of the largest Amish community in the world. Sitting on 5.5 acres of land, the property was originally built in 1840 and was converted from a barn into a bed and breakfast in 1996. The inn serves a locally sourced breakfast each morning and has a relatively spacious property for guests to explore. Due to its location at the heart of Amish country, there are many local businesses and restaurants that those who stay at the inn can enjoy and use to learn more about the culture of those who live in the community. The property itself has a long history both of being a barn and an inn, and owners Gene and Michelle love meeting guests and talking with them about the property.
The Barn Inn Bed and Breakfast sits on 5.5 acres of land in the middle of Amish Country Ohio. The property is a renovated barn built originally in 1840 and converted into a bed and breakfast in 1996. The exterior of the building remains true to the architecture before it was remodeled, and is a large three-story barn. In front of the building is a relatively large lawn with daisies, irises, and other flowers. Behind the barn is a path that leads to a bridge over a creek. Further down the path is a wooded area with a gazebo with a fire pit and sitting area for guests to enjoy. In the back, there is also a pen with three goats that guests can interact with. Another animal that is located on the property is a barn cat that roams as it pleases. Finally, scattered across the property are an assortment of benches where guests can sit and visit.
There are 11 units available at the Barn Inn, each with a different theme and décor style. There are two rooms on the garden and parking level, three rooms on the top floor, and seven on the main barn level. All of the rooms have different names to coincide with their decorations, fitting with the overall theme of the inn itself. All of the suites have seating areas with couches that can pull out and accommodate another guest if needed, and the five rooms that are not suites include either recliners or a small table and chairs. The suites also include jacuzzi tubs. All of the bath products are all-natural, hypoallergenic, and hand-made locally.
Every morning breakfast is available for patrons, and it is different every day in the hopes that guests who stay multiple nights do not have repeating meals. Guests frequently comment on the breakfast. One such guest stated, "We were treated to home-baked goodies in the evening, and the breakfast in the morning was delicious. During breakfast, Gene gave a history of The Barn, gave recommendations of what to do and see, and explained the breakfast and all of the locally sourced ingredients." The menu rotates, but some breakfasts from the past to note are oatmeal pancakes, Amish Haystack Casserole, Cottage Eggs, and Stuffed French Toast. Breakfast is served in the common dining area and is served "single plate" meaning that food is prepared and brought to each guest on their own plate. There is no additional charge for breakfast, and guests can enjoy it every day during their stay.
There is also a small gift shop at the front desk of the bed and breakfast where guests can purchase a souvenir from their trip or a bottle of wine.
The Barn Inn Bed and Breakfast is located in the heart of Amish Country in Millersburg, Ohio. This area is home to the largest population of Amish people in the world. There are many local attractions in the area that keep in line with the community and culture of the area. There are not many events hosted at the barn, but the owners hope that guests will be able to take in the sights and culture of the Amish community. All of the soaps and bath amenities are provided by businesses in the area. Some specific restaurants to note in the area that guests have previously enjoyed are Boyd and Wurthmann's and Rebecca's Bistro. The barn's website has a list of all the establishments in the area encompassing food, fabric, lawn and garden, variety shops, manufacturing, and furniture. While staying at the Barn Inn, guests can see buggies driving down the road as well as other sights that are unique to the Amish community.
The motto of The Barn Inn Bed and Breakfast is "it is the little things that add up." Coined by the original owner Loretta, the staff on the property aim to help guests have a peaceful vacation. The staff strives to go above and beyond to help guests. Guests have noted the cleanliness of the property, as well as the hospitality of the staff, and the overall ambiance of the property. One guest said "Very clean and quiet. The owners are very friendly and will help you with places to go and things to do." The owners and other staff on-site strive to help guests find things to do in the area that fit within each person's preference.
The inn has a no smoking policy, with the only exceptions being one of many outdoor designated smoking areas. There are no pets allowed at the property and guests must be 12 or older in order to stay at the inn. These policies help contribute to the goal of a quiet, peaceful couple getaway. Each room has only one bed, with the exception of the suites with pullout beds to sleep one additional person if necessary, and the owners hope to cater to a demographic of couples looking to explore the surrounding area. The inn is open year-round and is particularly busy during the fall, especially in October. The location of the inn, right next to a forest area, provides guests with the opportunity to see the seasons change and leaves fall.
One event the inn puts on is an annual New Year's Eve dinner. The inn generally only serves breakfast, but on New Year's Eve, for an additional fee, staff provide a multi-course dinner served to guests and others in the community.
The Barn Inn Bed and Breakfast has been in business since 1977, and the current owners, Gene and Michelle Rowland, have owned the inn since 2017. The original owners of the barn were Paul and Loretta Copeland. The Copelands purchased the barn in 1996 and converted the property into what is known today as The Barn Inn Bed and Breakfast. Before the renovation, the barn was being used as a plant nursery, and in the past had been used as a barn for animals, specifically cows. When the barn was built in 1840, it sat on a 120-acre dairy farm. In the basement of the inn can still be found barrels that were used to make cheese in the 1800s.
The original owners of the barn, before it became an inn, were Fred and Mary Gehrig. After the barn was constructed in 1840, it was struck by lightning and most of the structure burned down. They rebuilt the building on top of the original foundation, and the same foundation and structure are what is in use today. When Paul and Loretta remodeled, they kept the original hardwood floors and support beams to preserve the history of the building. They decorated the inn to keep it in style with the original intentions of the structure, and there are many pictures and other keepsakes from the beginnings of the barn that are displayed at the bed and breakfast today.
Before the current owners operated The Barn, they owned and operated multiple campsites in Colorado and Kentucky. After being in the campground business for over 20 years, the couple decided to stay within the hospitality industry but try something different. When Gene and Michelle met with Paul and Loretta, both couples described it as "meant to be." Gene and Michelle have loved the bed and breakfast industry as long as they have owned the inn, saying that they love being able to get to know guests and help guests have enjoyable vacations.
6838 County Road 203
Millersburg, Ohio 44654
United States
Barn
Gene and Michelle Rowland
Paul and Loretta Copeland
