Breaking Ground at Willowdale: A New Wedding & Event Venue Coming to Kennett Square

This week, Jeffrey A. Miller Hospitality Group joined project partners to celebrate a milestone — the official groundbreaking at Willowdale, a historic dairy barn and farmland being thoughtfully transformed into a signature wedding and event venue in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.

As the exclusive event management and catering partner, JAM is proud to help bring this vision to life, building on the legacy of land and community in Chester County.

Rooted in the Greater Philadelphia region, JAM has been creating unforgettable weddings, events, and celebrations for more than 45 years. As a premier event and catering group, JAM continues to find inspiration in partnering with properties that celebrate community, history, and hospitality. Willowdale is the latest opportunity to bring that passion for meaningful gatherings to life in a setting that connects people through food, place, and shared experience.

Honoring the Land, Crafting the Future

Willowdale carries deep roots in the local community. Once operated as a dairy farm by Dixon Stroud, a steeplechase enthusiast and father of Katherine Bucklin, the property long contributed to Chester County through Landhope Farms, supplying fresh milk and ice cream throughout the region.

Today, Michael and Katherine Bucklin helm the property, with a vision to preserve its open space and agricultural heritage while creating a place for Pennsylvania weddings, celebrations, and community gatherings. Collaboration & Design That Matters

The transformation of Willowdale is guided by a shared respect for its history. The design pays tribute to the original barn that stood here for decades, breathing new life into its structure while creating a space meant to bring people together.

Willowdale’s transformation is made possible by the collective expertise of exceptional local partners:

• Archer & Buchanan Architecture and Jonathan Alderson Landscape Architects are leading architectural and landscape design.

• Michelle L. Harris Designs brings creative direction and refined interiors to the project.

• B&D Builders is managing construction.

• Jeffrey A. Miller Hospitality Group is curating the hospitality experience — from event planning and logistics to exceptional catering.

When the venue opens, Willowdale will feature a restored barn, an updated farmhouse, and beautifully landscaped grounds — blending timeless character and modern amenities ideal for weddings, events, and corporate gatherings.  A Celebration of What’s Ahead

At the groundbreaking ceremony, guests joined in a champagne toast and enjoyed light fare and pastries prepared by JAM — a small taste of the hospitality that will define the venue in the future.

As Michael Bucklin shared, “Willowdale honors both the past and the future—it’s about preserving the land while creating a beautiful new space for connection and celebration.”

Construction is now underway, and anticipation is growing as this Chester County event venue takes shape.

Special thanks to Jana Bannan Photography for capturing the spirit and celebration of the Willowdale groundbreaking.

Stay Updated with JAM

Follow JAM Hospitality Group for behind-the-scenes updates as we help bring Willowdale to life — a place where history, hospitality, and community come together in one extraordinary setting!