The Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary is the perfect location for your next meeting, retreat, or event! With over 700 acres, 2 indoor meeting spaces, a primitive campground, and outdoor shelters, your group will enjoy our location near Connersville, Indiana. The complete list of rental rates is below.
Brooks Hall
Brooks Hall is the centerpiece of the Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary’s campus, serving as a gathering place for programs, workshops, and special events for more than six decades. Built in 1958 using timbers harvested right from the property, the hall stands as a lasting tribute to Dr. Earl Brooks (1883–1968), an early champion of Indiana Audubon and one of the key figures behind the sanctuary’s original development. Its walls, paneled in cherry and sycamore from the same forest that surrounds it, give the building a rustic warmth that blends perfectly with its woodland setting.
This space will accommodate a maximum of 125 people, and a selection of tables and chairs are available for various functions. Blackout blinds provide darkening for daytime presentations and an LCD projector is available for presentations. The hall is heated, has modern restrooms, and can accommodate large or small meetings and receptions.
A large flagstone fireplace anchors the main hall, offering a cozy focal point for meetings, lectures, and social gatherings during cool weather. With modern restrooms (including an ADA-accessible restroom added in the 1990s), electric service, and a heating system, Brooks Hall provides year-round comfort while preserving its vintage charm.
Recent improvements supported by the Fayette Community Foundation have refreshed the hall with new lighting, sound-dampening features, shelving and storage, and a revitalized front porch complete with rocking chairs and an informational kiosk. These upgrades make the hall better suited for both public programs and private rentals. A new donor tree installation in the main space celebrates those who help keep Mary Gray thriving.
While Brooks Hall continues to serve as the heart of sanctuary programming, it’s also available for private events such as meetings, retreats, and small receptions. Guests are asked to respect the sanctuary’s natural setting—no amplified sound or alcohol—and to keep gatherings small to preserve the peace and wildlife of the area. The hall’s timeless character, paired with its modern amenities, makes it a favorite spot for community connection, learning, and celebration in the heart of Indiana’s bird country.
Markle Barn
The Markle Barn honors Millard S. Markle, a longtime supporter of the Indiana Audubon Society and a respected biology professor at Earlham College for more than forty years. His passion for education and conservation helped shape the early growth of the Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary, and the barn that bears his name continues that legacy of learning, community, and connection to nature.
Tucked down a gentle slope from the main parking area, the Markle Barn overlooks the peaceful ponds at the heart of the sanctuary. The red barn, framed by mature trees and wetland vegetation, offers a rustic yet comfortable retreat where visitors can gather for workshops, retreats, family reunions, and small celebrations. Inside, large windows fill the space with natural light and give guests a front-row view of the water and surrounding woods, creating a setting that feels as much outdoors as in.
The barn is divided into two levels connected by an interior staircase. The upper level is well-suited for presentations, group meetings, or dining events, while the lower level provides a flexible workshop area with easy access to the outdoors. Together, the two floors can comfortably seat up to 60 guests at tables. Folding tables and chairs are available for various setups, from classroom layouts to informal buffets.
The kitchen offers modern conveniences while maintaining the building’s rustic charm. Guests will find an industrial-size refrigerator, full freezer, convection double oven, and microwave, along with ample counter and cabinet space for meal prep. The space is ideal for catered gatherings or community potlucks, and a nearby patio area allows for outdoor serving when the weather cooperates.
Large Shelter
The Large Shelter at Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary offers a welcoming, open-air space perfect for picnics, reunions, and group gatherings in the heart of nature. Set near the main pond and surrounded by mature trees, this covered pavilion provides a blend of convenience and tranquility. Its sturdy roof and open design ensure that events can go on rain or shine, making it one of the sanctuary’s most popular rental sites for both family and organizational gatherings.
Because it’s located within the sanctuary’s central area, the Large Shelter serves as a hub for many Indiana Audubon events, including field lunches, volunteer appreciation picnics, and youth education programs. It can comfortably accommodate large groups and is especially well-suited for day-use events where visitors want quick access to nearby trails, the birding blind, and Brooks Hall. A take a book, leave a book bird themed library is available at the shelter.
Birding Blind
The accessible birding blind at Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary is one of the site’s most meaningful additions in recent years, transforming a former picnic shelter into a quiet space where visitors can experience wildlife up close. Funded through a generous grant from the Efroymson Family Fund, the blind was built as part of Indiana Audubon’s 125th anniversary legacy projects to expand nature accessibility and inclusive outdoor experiences for all visitors.
Located just across from Brooks Hall, the birding blind overlooks a natural feeding area and the sanctuary’s central pond system. The structure is fully enclosed for comfort and concealment, allowing guests to observe birds and other wildlife without disturbing them. Windows of varying heights accommodate both standing and seated visitors, and an accessible parking pad and ADA-compliant pathway provide smooth, barrier-free access. The surrounding native landscaping, feeders, and water features draw in a variety of bird species throughout the year, creating a lively and ever-changing scene for photography and observation.
Inside, interpretive signage highlights common bird species and shares conservation tips that visitors can apply at home. The space serves as both a peaceful retreat and a teaching tool, used by Indiana Audubon staff and volunteers for field programs, photography workshops, and youth education activities. The design includes thoughtful touches such as bump-out seating areas, covered benches, and a storage bin where volunteers can refill feeders with seed as needed.
Construction of the birding blind was funded through an Efroymson Family Fund grant in 2023.
Daily Rental Rates
Rental hours run from 8 a.m. ET to 11 p.m. ET, and include signed rental agreement and security deposit. Mention your Indiana Audubon membership for a special discount!
