Nice to meet you! We are Riley Ensign and Alyssa Jade. It is a once in a life time opportunity to start your dream business with the love of your life, and here we are! Ensign Jade Acres is a barn venue that sits on seven beautiful acres with picturesque country views. Located in Freeport, Illinois; central to Rockford and Galena, our location is the perfect escape from the city while remaining a short drive from Milwaukee or Chicago.

The Ludlow Mansion is steeped in history from the early beginning as a homestead of a 3,000 acre farm and a stop on the underground railroad, to today as a preeminent regional gathering place for great events. Five suites are available for overnight accommodations and access for photos and videos can be obtained in this historic homestead. The Mansion's grounds invite guests to enjoy friends and family under the shadow of its four two-story columned porch or its great white pergola. The Saddle Room bar offers both a comfortable lounge around its famous sunken bar or a patio chair to watch the sunset over the Mansion grounds. Extensive indoor spaces include a cavernous Carriage Hall which allows for a fabulous ceremony space with three giant chandeliers and can be converted dance central with party lights for the perfect late night experience. Lastly, the great Parlor Hall provides a perfect space to dine and celebrate with its many large windows with country views.

The Funderburg House is a unique and historic venue that allows you to completely immersive. This 3-story, 1906 mansion is sure to keep your guests talking. It is a romantic spot that is perfect for any happy couple to celebrate their big day!

The Grand Gallery sits next to the Museum’s exhibitions for easy access to our historical spaces. The Gallery holds up to 100 seated guests! It provides a presentation center, surround sound, and a bar space. It is a great location for anyone looking for a unique space to hold their special event.

We welcome you to Pheasant Valley Barn! The barn is nestled in a scenic valley in the middle of our farm. The Byrne family started dairy farming in Wisconsin after emigrating from Ireland in the 1870's. In 2003, we decided to renovate our 1890's barn. We added a new metal roof and restored the interior of the barn. To celebrate, we had a barn dance for Duane's parents' 40th anniversary. Thus began "The Party Barn". In the fall of 2018, our son Cory married his fiance, Jenny. It confirmed our idea of starting a barn venue and sharing our barn and farm with others. We have been asked many times, "Why don't you rent out this barn?" We have decided the time is right to diversify our farm and start this event business. We are so happy that we restored our barn. As more and more barns and farms are lost, our barn is preserved and now can be shared with others to create a memorable and special day for your event!

In 1976, Hugh and Jody Deery had established themselves as greats in Midwest short track race promoting. With their large plot of land in Loves Park, just miles north of Rockford already housing Rockford Speedway, they asked themselves what's missing? The answer was affordable quality banquet space! Thus the idea for the Forest Hills Banquet was born. Construction began in 1977 and was completed in 1978. The annual Rockford Speedway Banquet was one of the first events held in the newly constructed "Lodge" and we are proud to have played a part in many wonderful celebrations in the years which have followed.

A barn is where hard work happens. It is where good times and bad happen. It is where families come together. To work. To play. To connect. To grow. And to make memories. It weathers storms, the elements and anything else you can possibly throw at it. Can you think of a better metaphor for marriage? Can you think of a better place to start one? We can’t either. That’s why we put so much heart into The Barn here at Allen Acres. To create a place where someone’s there to bring the vision of your day to life. Why we fought for it. Why we worked ourselves into the ground for it. Spent money we didn’t have on it. And put every ounce of energy into the four walls you’ll see before you. Labor of love? It was an undying test of our wills, our bank accounts and our sanity. But that’s what you do for something and someone you’re passionate about. It’s how you start your dream. It’s how we started ours. And how we’d like to start yours.

The Ellwood House Museum is an historic estate that offers three unique rental spaces on ten acres of gardens and grounds. These include the first floor and terraces of elegant Ellcourt, an historic Tudar Revival house built in 1899. It is available from March through mid-November and is our only venue where alcohol service is permissible. Ellcourt has an hourly rate of $350. The grounds also offer a choice of three garden spaces for wedding ceremonies. Garden rentals are available mid-May to mid-October and include an inclement weather backup location in the Hearthside Room of the Visitor Center. The rental rate is a flat fee of $500. The third venue is our more casual space, the Hearthside Room, which includes access to the galleries. It is available March through mid-November, and the rental rate is $75 per hour. All venues are limited to 80 people, and both indoor venues have full kitchens.