Oxford Borough

While we may not often think of the Borough this way, Oxford is the “urban center” of the six growing municipalities in the southernmost part of Chester County. The Borough’s increasing diversity, proximity to major metropolitan centers, historic housing stock, walkable neighborhoods and small town charm make it an increasingly attractive place to live. Organized efforts focused on economic development, infrastructure, transportation, and public safety over the last decade were very successful. These investments enhanced the look of the town, community services, and overall quality of life. While the pandemic slowed progress, Oxford remains the focal point of public life in the region. Credit for this is due to what is our community’s greatest strength – our people. Since becoming Borough Manger in October, I have had the privilege and pleasure to get to know Borough staff, residents, local business owners, elected officials, and our many community stakeholders. It is their commitment and tireless effort that enabled Oxford to weather the storm of the last two years and that continues to foster our unique sense of place and community. Thanks to them, I am developing a deeper understanding of the spectrum of challenges and opportunities that are unique to the Borough. Our challenge now is to build upon past progress. I believe Oxford is at a tipping point, on the verge of a transformational economic revival. The Borough’s municipal government has a critical and unique role to play, both by providing the essential services and infrastructure to support daily life and as a strategic partner in growing and sustaining our local economy. This year affords us an opportunity to address critical needs, work to ensure the most efficient and effective delivery of municipal services, and prepare for how a growing Southern Chester County could impact our personnel, finances and infrastructure. I look forward to working with our staff, Council, Mayor, neighboring municipalities, and with you to take the constructive and necessary steps needed to prepare for a very bright and beautiful future.

Pauline Garcia-Allen

Pauline Garcia-Allen Oxford Borough Manager, manager@oxfordboro.org

The Barn of Nottingh accommodates guests magnificent, rural set

By Chris Barber Contributing Writer

Acentury-old building that’s known legions of cows, horses and farm auctions through the years has become a venue for weddings and special events in southern Chester County. The 7,000-square-foot The Barn of Nottingham, sits on Ponds Edge Drive near Herr Foods, just off the Route 272 exit of the Route 1 bypass in West Nottingham. Owner Kate Price, 33, said her family acquired the sprawling property in 1988, and through the early years of ownership had several tenants, including the agricultural auction that was known locally as the Nottingham Flea Market. Continued on Page 40

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Anecdotally, however, by looking at the animal stalls downstairs and speaking with an elderly former resident of the onsite farm house, Price was fairly certain it had functioned in its original state as a dairy farm more than 100 years ago. Price said her vision to turn it into a special event and wedding venue came about six years ago when she looked thoughtfully at the barn and said, “It’s too beautiful for an auction barn full of farm tractors.” Additionally, in the back of her mind, she knew that her father, early on, had held a spontaneous party there. To her, that seemed like a good idea at the time and would be in the future, especially in the light that barn party destinations were becoming popular. Her first impulse was to clean the place out – power wash it and spruce it up -- and invite customers in for a wedding. After a try, however, she realized it wasn’t that easy – that the township has codes to be

adhered to when one is serving the public and changing the function of a building. She set about to make the upgrades, tapping the talents of her childhood friend, Abbie McGinnes. McGinnes, 30, is a graduate of Moore College of Art in Philadelphia, where she majored in architecture and interior design. Price said McGinnes’s grasp of layout and style has contributed to the attractiveness of the place throughout the upgrade process, “Because she knows what to do. Abbie gets ideas. She has an eye for colors and things that go together.” The first step was connecting to public water to install a sprinkler system. That was soon followed by a new roof and floor. By October 2021, they obtained an occupancy permit and proceeded to invite customers including weddings, parties, reunions and business gatherings, albeit with portable toilets and an unfinished ground floor. Currently, the barn is holding events, but it is still evolving into an even more accommodating facility. McGinnes and Price are putting on an addition and making sure it matches the aesthetics of the present building. It was a fascinating process. They took an old barn which Price said went back to the 1700s in New Garden Township and completely dismantled it piece-by-piece. Then they brought all the pieces over to the Nottingham facility and proceeded to use them to build what will be a carport, bathrooms and a cateringprep area. The car port will enable people to arrive under shelter so they don’t have to endure

Rendering of addition to Barn of Nottingham. Courtesy image

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the weather while entering, Price explained. The bathrooms will replace the portable toilet arrangement they now have. McGinnes said they will be attractive – one for men and one for women. “They won’t look like some [fast food place] bathroom,” she said. The catering area will have plenty of counter space along with refrigerators, freezers and power sources. Inasmuch as food cooking is not done onsite at The Barn, the catering area will have all the equipment caterers need to prepare, heat up and distribute the food they brought in. The Barn of Nottingham has many additional features to make it ideal for aspiring event hosts. For one thing, it is comfortable. McGinnes designed the installation of heating and lighting that is effective and yet unobtrusive. In addition to the barn structure, there is an onsite old farmhouse. Price said it has bedrooms and a kitchen and can serve as an overnight space for family guests or even a get-dressed area for wedding participants. The Barn of Nottingham is a place where guests can exercise their creativity in event planning. They are free to exercise their originality in decorating for the party and they are allowed to bring in any catering firm they want. One large family even held their Thanksgiving dinner there with Continued on Page 46

The farmhouse on the property is available for overnight guests or can serve as preparation space for the wedding party.