The Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary is the perfect location for your next meeting or retreat. With over 700 acres, 2 indoor meeting spaces, a primitive campground, and outdoor shelters, your group will enjoy our location near Connersville, Indiana.

Groups are welcome to plan meetings and retreats at the Sanctuary.

Contact Amy or Carl Wilms for more information. They'll be happy to help you plan your next event.

Brooks Hall is the main meeting hall at the Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary.  It was constructed in 1958 from timbers harvested from the property.  Its cherry and sycamore paneling frames a meeting space warmed by a large flagstone fireplace that serves as a gathering space on cool days and nights.  Restrooms are available with an additional handicapped restroom added in 1993.
 
The meeting space will accommodate a maximum of 125 people with metal chairs arranged in a classroom style.   Blackout blinds provide darkening for daytime presentations and an LCD projector is available for use..  Ceiling fans provide air circulation in warm conditions and an LP furnace provides heat in cooler seasons. 
Food is not allowed in Brooks Hall. 
 
The hall is named after Dr. Earl Brooks (1883-1968).  Dr. Brooks was an ardent supporter of the IAS and worked tirelessly to develop the then newly acquired Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary.  He collaborated in designing the trails, plantings of habitat, and visualizing the property’s future.  At the January 1959 Board of Director’s meeting in Indianapolis, the decision was made to name the nearly finished construction “Brooks Hall” to honor Dr. Brooks’s efforts.
 
Additionally, Dr. Brooks was the first editor of the Indiana Quarterly, a position he served in for 17 years.  An IAS member for over 30 years, he was President for nine of those years.  He authored Common Birds of Indiana, was awarded a fellowship in the Indiana Academy of Science in recognition of his IAS devotion.  The highest award presented by the IAS in recognition of environmental efforts is named in his honor as well.
 
The IAS held its first state meeting at Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary in the spring of 1948.  A short eleven years later, May of 1959, construction was completed and the first meeting was held inside.  With the assistance of the Lilly Foundation, many donors, and Dan Faint of Connersville as contractor, Brooks Hall was brought into existence.

Markle Barn provides rustic meeting space with limited kitchen facilities.  Located down a gentle hill from the main parking area, the wooden deck overlooks the second pond of a three pond series.  Windows provide a view of the ponds that brings nature inside.  There is adequate room for 100 guests to be seated at tables.  Appliances include refrigerator, oven, four additional burners, steam table and one small microwave oven.  There are two sinks; one for dishwashing and one suitable for hand washing.
 
The Markle Barn is named to honor Millard S. Markle who was a dedicated educator and supporter of the Indiana Audubon Society.  As a professor of biology at Earlham College for forty years, he was instrumental in the development of the Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary in its early years.

The Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary maintains a primitive campground for members to use while visiting the property. The campground consists of a high ground, large open field, that is surrounded by forest, creek valleys, and the entrance lane. The middle of this field receives nearly full sun. A second portion of the campground is partially shaded, and a third section is heavily shaded and located on lower ground that can be very moist according to the season. There are two fixed shelters located in the campground with picnic tables under their roofs. There is a vault toilet with women’s and men’s divisions. A shower stall is provided that requires visitors to use the “hanging” water bag shower system or some other variation. THERE IS NO WATER OR ELECTRICITY DELIVERED TO THE CAMPGROUND. Water can be carried from the main area hydrant to the campground. The hydrant is located at the top of the drive hill across from the #1 residence. The use of generators is at the digression of the resident caretakers.

Quiet hours are from dusk to dawn.

Registration is required when camping. Contacting the residents prior to arrival, or upon arrival, is required. Donations for camping are readily accepted.

The Society asks that you do not bring firewood with you so that we will not increase the risk of introducing invasive species to the area. Notifying residents prior to your arrival and requesting firewood will ensure wood will be available.

When camping, there are no trash receptacles for your use. Please haul away all that you brought with you.

While camping is a privilege of IAS membership, exceptions can be arranged for groups such as scouts and other special organizations. Arrangements for such events must be organized by contacting the resident managers prior to the event and completing a contractual agreement.