Ravenwood

A Nature Retreat  Center for Groups
in the Highlands Nature Sanctuary
Arc of Appalachia Preserve System

Immerse yourself in Nature’s beauty on the edge of Wilderness

    while supported by the warmth of human connections in a light-filled house.

Designed for Groups with educational or nature retreat objectives in an eco-responsible facility
 

Ravenwood lies on the western edge of the Highlands Nature Sanctuary  – that place of Contact where the vast and fertile glacial plains of the Midwest touch the ancient and rumpled hill-country of the Appalachian foothills. The Sanctuary is a 2000 acre nature preserve located less than a two hour drive from Columbus and Cincinnati. Ravenwood offers groups the opportunity to hold educational overnight gatherings, or a place for friends to gather for a retreat, to journal, read,  meditate or simply listen. Throughout the ages when times were hard, it was always the Spirit that shines through Nature that our ancestors turned to for clarity and support. In these modern times, let Ravenwood offer you  Sanctuary.

Ravenwood Listening Trail. The highlight of the Ravenwood facility is the Ravenwood Listening Trail, an artistic endeavor to bring back the practice of creating sacred landscapes. The trail, beginning right outside Ravenwood's back door, invites visitors to rediscover the art of simply BEING. It is a place of contact, contemplation and inner dialogue. Most importantly it is a place of inspired art. The trail descends into a deep valley cut by the Rocky Fork Creek, amidst a beautiful landscape of moss-covered boulders, rock walls, small grottos, and rushing water. Scattered along the trail are inviting meditation points, where hikers are encouraged to stop and listen to the sounds of nature, contemplate the subtle works of created natural art, and listen to the quiet voice within. The trail offers special nooks  to curl up and sit, inviting you to look at the world as you once did as a child – full of wonder, playfulness, and openness. Hikers can walk barefoot in the sand in a sacred circle of stones, curl up in a fern-shrouded grotto, or swing above the sparkling creek.  Everyone who has ever taken the time to be still and receptive, has always been rewarded with  magical moments. You might -- like others in the past -- catch a sight of a wood duck with its babies swimming downstream, a beaver swimming beneath the water's surface,  an ancient mollusk feeding in the water’s floor, or the swirling mandela of ripples created by a swarm of whirligigs.

For more information on the Listening Trail, click here.

Fourteen Miles of Hiking Trails. Ravenwood lies on the intersection of culture and nature, civilization and wilderness. To its front lies the developed rural countryside of southern Ohio; to its back, a few miles distant, lies the heart of the 2000-plus acre nature sanctuary where most of the Highland's hiking trails lie -- approximately a fifteen minute drive away. For more information on Hiking in the Highlands, click here.

Ravenwood is an ideal educational facility for groups pursuing curriculums of nature literacy, deep ecology, natural history, wellness, meditation, or body-connection.

The History.
We have a story to tell ...
In the days when mills lined the banks of the Rocky Fork Creek, an industrious family made their home on a  particularly scenic curve of the creek -- harnessing the flow of the river to make a modest living grinding grain into flour.  Although the mill is now gone, the Beaver Mill Manor House and mill falls remain, witnessing an continuing panorama of human dreams. Ravenwood's farmhouse exudes warmth, hospitality and informality. Graced with large windows and a pleasing architectural design, it is a house filled with light. Generations of the Beaver family -- the original founders of Beaver Mill -- lived continuously in the Manor House until the last descendent -- Barney Beaver -- sold her home to friends of the family in 1999. She was 95 years old when the transaction was made. The latest owners made extensive renovations to this elegant home, and passed it into the hands of Sanctuary early in 2003, complete with all of Barney's family antiques. Perhaps the most cherished piece in the entire house is Barney's baby grand piano. Built in 1898, it remains a focal point of the main gathering room, and is still played, though a bit out of tune!

The Facility. The entire home of Ravenwood is filled with graceful antiques. The facility has a spacious dining room and living room that comfortably serves a group of fourteen. A fully-equipped kitchen is provided with eight  burners, one oven, and a microwave oven. Ample dish and kitchen ware are provided.  Ravenwood offers three stories of living and sleeping accommodations. The first story has a bathroom on the hall, three bedrooms two with double beds, and one with a single bed.  The second story has two bedrooms with two single beds each and a bath. The third story, a fully-refinished loft, provides a large sleeping space with four single beds.   Central air-conditioning reaches most rooms in the summer. Dishes are supplied to encourage the minimal use of throw-away plates and packaging. Separate bins for food scraps and recyclable refuse are provided, and all food remains are composted on the Sanctuary grounds.  In honor of the Eastern Forest's esteemed and varied wildlife, rooms at the Manor House are named after the little-known, but dazzling beautiful giant silk moths -- animals which are still native to Ohio's woodlands, but are diminishing in numbers and are in great need of habitat protection. Room names include the Cecropia, Royal Walnut, and Luna Rooms.

A campfire ring is available on the site. Firewood should not be brought with you in order to not accidentally bring in the Emerald Ash borer. Wood and kindling can be ordered from the Arc and picked up at the Appalachian Forest Museum.

In the landscaped yard is an old barn with the remains of the original pioneer log barn inside. Also on the grounds is a large pole barn that has large doors that can open to the light, and a smooth clean concrete floor with expansive space for body movement, dancing, or yoga--a simple facility that can be rented for a modest additional fee.

Group Fees for Entire Facility   

Ravenwood a capacity limit of 14 guests. Pillows, blankets, linens, and quilts are provided, as are all cooking kitchenware in a very complete and spacious kitchen. Guests need to bring their own food, soap and shampoo. To help our volunteer-assisted housekeeping, guests are respectfully requested to make their own beds upon arrival, and strip sheets and remake beds upon leaving. Linens and towels are fully provided. We greatly appreciate your help in maintaining this beautiful educational facility affordable for groups.

ATTENTION WORKSHOP LEADERS: RAVENWOOD CAN BE RENTED FOR ONLY $25.00/NIGHT PER PARTICIPANT IF YOU STAY TWO OR MORE NIGHTS.

 

Call for this facility's availability or check yourself by clicking here This is an excel form and is updated immediately after each reservation made, giving you up-to-date information.

$200 Nightly Rate PLUS one-time fee of $115 for housekeeping and entrance to the Appalachian Forest Museum and trails; up to ten people (2 floors)
$900 Weekly Rate PLUS one-time fee of $115 for housekeeping and entrance to the Appalachian Forest Museum and trails; up to ten people (2 floors)

--OR--

$250 Nightly Rate PLUS one-time fee of $135 for housekeeping and entrance to the Appalachian Forest Museum and trails; for the entire facility, up to fourteen people (3 floors)
$1125 Weekly Rate PLUS one-time fee of $135 for housekeeping and entrance to the Appalachian Forest Museum and trails; for the entire facility, up to fourteen people (3 floors)

Other fees and options to be aware of:

• 7% sales tax applied

• OPTIONAL rental of large pole barn, $25.00 for entire stay

To make a reservation or for further inquiries, click here. 

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