WINDSONG ACRES
Turning a Vision
into Reality
Windsong Acres was born out of love—a love for family and for restoring beauty to things long forgotten. Jeff and his late wife, Shelly, had a passion for breathing new life into old places and creating something meaningful. What began as a family project became a true labor of love, shaped by creativity, hard work, and the memories made along the way.
Today, Windsong Acres continues to grow and evolve, carrying with it the love and vision that inspired it from the very beginning. It remains a place where family, creativity, and new memories come together, welcoming each new chapter while honoring the ones that came before.
Restoring a
Forgotten Treasure
Windsong Acres features a historic 1912 barn in excellent condition that is a rare example of a "Show Barn". It has been featured on PBS television to showcase the highly unusual architectural features of this rare and beautiful barn.
The Show Barn
An Artist's Touch
Following the renovation of the Show Barn, the next project was to work on the Scale House with the intention of creating an art studio for Jeff's late wife, Shelly. It was called a "Scale House" because they could weigh wagons of grain on the large scale that is embedded in the floor (it still works today!).
Since it was dark inside (only one window, and it was boarded up), windows and the cupola were added in the roof to let in more light. The beams and interior features were kept, adding a new roof over the existing one to hide new insulation and wiring. One of the grain bins was converted to a restroom, a front porch added, a loft and staircase, a fireplace, and a back room that would be easier to heat for Shelly's everyday use. The work took place over five years, and except for hiring professionals for such things as installing the main electric panel, the furnace, and the shingles, the Rasches did all the work themselves.
The Scale House
Where Many Gather
In My Name
Added in 2018, the Wedding Barn is the newest building at Windsong Acres. With the demand for weddings and large events at an all time high, it was necessary to build a new space that could accommodate those demands. Designed to compliment the rustic style of the existing buildings on the property, the new building provides a heated and air-conditioned option to take the worry out of outdoor weddings. Built to accommodate up to 200 people, this unique and beautifully-lit space has two handicapped-accessible restrooms, a kitchenette, a spacious loft for bridal parties with an elevated outdoor deck, a gas fireplace, a large room for serving food, and a relaxing courtyard with a fountain and a raised goldfish pond, .
The Wedding Barn
Home Is Where
The Heart Is
In 2009, Jeff received a new church-related position at Chaddock in Quincy, creating the opportunity to move into their "retirement house" a couple decades early!
The farmhouse was completely gutted, replacing the old electric, plumbing, insulation, and furnace. The old, tiny kitchen was removed and built on a larger one, plus a two-story addition on the south side of the house. The house was inhabitable by the end of a whirlwind four months, but the rest of the work to finish the house, room by room, took the next 7 years, mostly using antique woodwork collected and salvaged from homes in the area.
The Home
A Slice of Paradise
Jeff built a 14' wide gazebo nestled in the midst of three ponds that has become our most popular outdoor wedding location. The gazebo features a three-level roof, a chandelier, a floor mosaic, and stained glass window. The ponds, waterfalls, and clear water showcase an extensive collection of colorful koi. Jeff completed the coursework to receive the “Certified Koi Keeper” designation from K.O.I. (Koi Organisation International). He offers individual pond consultation for those considering their own backyard ponds, as well as offering occasional classes through John Wood Community College related to ponds and fish keeping.
The Gazebo & Koi Ponds
