Yes. Please DO NOT use spaces directly in front of the main entrance if you plan to leave a vehicle. Guests leaving vehicles are asked to please include a note on the driver’s side dashboard with contact information in case of an emergency.

Yes. Use of the outdoor Moerlein Gazebo at Beckett Park comes with rental of the barn. Please remember tables and chairs included with your reservation must stay under the barn roof and may NOT go outside.

Yes - with some exceptions. Renters may not attach any fixtures, change, alter or make additions to the walls, doors, beams, windows, floors or ceilings of the rented facility. Most of the hand-hewn wooden beams are original to the 1881 barn and we’d like to keep them as nice as possible. Candles may be used if they are enclosed within a holder made of non-flammable materials.

Restricted items: No smoke effects, fog machines, explosives, sky lantern fire balloons, or pyrotechnics are allowed in or around the facility. Balloons, rice and confetti are prohibited; please use birdseed outside.

No. In order to access the facility early or stay late, renters must reserve an extra date (only available Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays for private events).  No cleaning crew will enter the facility between your consecutive rental dates.

In order to have access to the facility early, renters must reserve an extra date (only available Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays). Events must be kept to the reserved date(s) and rental hours.

Yes. Barn showings are by appointment only. Appointments can be scheduled on days when the barn is not already booked – typically Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. We will do our best to accommodate your schedule.

Consider visiting Muhlhauser Barn in the off season at one of our planned Open House dates (announced in late November) or during the West Chester Market winter season on select Saturdays.

An interactive 3-D virtual barn tour is also available.

No. All food to be used at the Muhlhauser Barn must be prepared off site with the exception of outside grilling in designated areas. The Muhlhauser Barn kitchenette is to be used for staging, plating and organization only. Hot water or ice should not be disposed of on lawn areas.

Grills are only permitted on the concrete circle at the top of drive. Grease drippings from grills must be collected and disposed of in a sealed container. Grills are not provided. 

No. Renters should bring what they need to host their event except tables and chairs, which are provided for indoor use only. Renters may bring additional tables and chairs. All items brought into the facility must be removed by the renter by midnight of the final date of your reservation.

No. The Muhlhauser Barn is neither heated nor air conditioned. West Chester Township cannot guarantee the temperature of the facility. Ceiling fans and the gas fireplace are intended for aesthetics only and should not be considered temperature control. Renters may use additional fans, portable air-conditioning units (not venting to the outdoors) or electric heaters.

Yes. Reliability may vary.

Refund requests must be made in writing. Email is acceptable; send to barn@westchesteroh.org. If mailing refund requests, the date of postmark indicates refund to be given.

Mail to:

West Chester Township
c/o Muhlhauser Barn
9113 Cincinnati-Dayton Road
West Chester, OH 45069

Refunds are issued monthly and will be processed in the following manner:

• $100 of deposit is non-refundable
• 90 days or more prior to event – Full refund of fees paid, minus $100
• Less than 90 days prior to event – 50% refund of fees paid, minus $100

Tables and chairs for INSIDE the facility are provided. Renters are responsible for set up. All tables and chairs provided must remain inside the facility at all times. The deck is outside of the facility.

Renters are NOT required to stack chairs and tables at midnight. Leave the tables and chairs “set-up” at the end of your event.

Chairs

225 provided – white, resin, folding, with cushion

• Seat – 18 inches from floor
• Height – 30 inches
• Weight limit – under 250 pounds

Tables

Two Sizes – white, resin, folding

• 8 feet by 30 inches – seats 8 to 10 people – 7 tables are provided
• 60 inches (round) – seats 6 to 8 people – 26 tables are provided

All facilities are smoke free. No smoking is permitted on the deck or within 50 feet of any entrance or exit door.

No. The barn is available for events of all kinds with a few exceptions.

Games of chance may not be operated in the facility. Renters may not solicit funds for private gain. Renters are not permitted to solicit any individuals or groups using the facility other than members of their own party. Renters may not charge admission to activities except for the benefit of a charity and when prior written approval is received from the Township.

No. Renters pick up a barn key at the Administration Building, 9113 Cincinnati Dayton Road, on the business day before their event and must return the key the business day after. Access is available to renters between 10 a.m. and midnight on the agreed upon date(s) only. A cleaning crew arrives at midnight and works through the early morning hours to prepare the space for the next event.

West Chester Township staff will have access to any rented space during the rental period provided the activities of West Chester Township personnel do not unreasonably interfere with the authorized activities of the renters.

No. The barn includes men’s and women’s restrooms. Keep in mind there are no accessible electrical outlets in either restroom.

The rental fee is $2,000 per day for weekends/holidays, which are considered Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (10:00 a.m. - midnight). No rental on weekdays (Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays).

Rental rates include a post event cleaning service.

Renters must leave the facility clean and free of trash and hazardous materials. This includes trash, decorations, leftover food and drink, etc. A dumpster and recycling center is available on-site for your convenience. Please clean up any major messes created during your event.

Any area not left in proper order and repair will be cleaned and repaired by West Chester Township staff as necessary, and the renter agrees to be billed and shall be liable for any and all costs.

Renters DO NOT need to tear down tables and chairs, and by-and-large DO NOT need to mop, sweep, or wipe down surfaces. Renters may wish to bring a small kit of cleaning supplies in case a need arises.

Review our Reminders for Renters for more information. 

We do not offer discounts for renting the Muhlhauser Barn, which is operated at or below cost to the Township. 

A payment of 50% of your rental fees is required to confirm reservation of your event date, of which $100 is non-refundable. The remaining balance of your payment is due 90 days prior to your event. A credit card number will be held as payment for potential damage suffered by the barn during your rental period or failure to meet the obligations for post-rental cleaning. Renters will be notified in advance of any resulting additional charges.

A completed Rental Use Agreement application and a 50% deposit are required at time of reservation. The reservation is considered binding when West Chester Township has issued a rental permit/agreement and the renter has paid a 50% deposit.

The West Chester Township facilities are NOT licensed premises with the State of Ohio. Therefore, all alcoholic beverages sold on the premises must be purchased from a licensed catering service. Alcoholic beverages ARE RESTRICTED TO THE MUHLHAUSER BARN AND DECK. ALCOHOL IS NOT PERMITTED ELSEWHERE IN THE PARK. It is the renter's responsibility to be informed and familiar with state laws (which can be found online) and to inform their guests of the rules and regulations. West Chester Township staff and West Chester Township Police Department reserve the right to control any and all alcohol consumption. All alcoholic beverage service will end 30 minutes prior to the end of the event.

The Muhlhauser Barn and Moerlein Gazebo are available for rent on dates between April 1 and November 15 of each calendar year. Please check the Muhlhauser Barn calendar or contact us to check availability. The facility closes to renters in winter and water service is shut off because the barn is not heated.

Plenty of parking is available on site at Beckett Park, on the east side of Beckett Road. A limited number of parking spaces, including handicap accessible parking, is available directly in front of the main entrance.