CAPTION
Shane and Stephanie Faris in front of the Alexander Majors House. photo by Debbie Beck of Little D Studios
Lights add to the festive atmosphere at the main event room.
Barn to promote Raytown high school reunions, Kiwanis Club meetings, and even as a polling station. Rachael said she and Erik are “such geeks about property,” and they eagerly, and in great detail, describe the history of the property while poring over scrapbooks and photo albums that have grown through the years. The Barn itself dates back to 1925 and is considered one of the few rock barns still standing in the Midwest. In the 1960s, it served as a popular venue for square dancing, and by the 1980s, it was being rented out for events. Rachael’s started her then-Messner Family Farm business in 2013, and by 2015, the couple were looking for a bigger space to grow their family and their businesses. They purchased the north half of the property (the house and the shop) from Erik’s mother, who has since moved to Arizona, while his grandparents continue to own the southern portion. They moved into the property’s house in 2017, and Rachael now runs the Messner Bee Farm out of the shop. Today, The New Yellow Rock Barn is under Erik and Rachael’s management, with Janet and Bill Anderson’s reception on March 31, 2018, serving as the first event under the new management. While the space itself includes vintage- inspired details with lanterns in the windowsills and lace curtains, the music, food, and decorating are wide open for guests, Erik said. Building off of their wedding in Cozumel, Janet and Bill Anderson “brought the beach back home” in incorporating seashells, fishing poles, and other sea-inspired details into their late March reception. “In terms of the Barn, the number one thing that we hope people experience and take from the space is an appreciation for older times and the desire to live in a space and share a story with a space that celebrates
history and that celebrates the enterprising spirit,” Erik said. “The space comes with its own character, and we hope that people who want to get married here celebrate that character.” As Rachael has moved operations of Messner Bee Farm into the shop, customers will often come in and share their stories and memories of the property, including events that they attended at The New Yellow Rock Barn. “All these memories are good memories,” Rachael said. “I love that this space has such a long history of good memories. Everyone takes ownership over it — it’s great.” More information on the Alexander Majors Barn can be found at www.wornallmajors.org or call 816-444-1858; on The New Yellow
additional fee. “We have a wide range of expectations
of what a wedding should be,” White said, “and we end up having really fun and diverse clientele because of it.” Stephanie said she and Shane still smile and talk about their wedding day each time they drive past Alexander Majors Barn, several times a week. In having their wedding at the Barn, Stephanie said she was able to relax and to enjoy the day without worrying about whether every little detail was perfect. “We kind of just let the barn speak for itself and didn’t overdo it,” she said. “On the day of, I didn’t have to worry about a lot, and when I look back at the pictures, it looks just fine.” A space with its own character If the names Erik and Rachael Messner sound familiar, it is for good reason: They are those Messners, of the Messner Bee Farm, whose bee farm products are well-known in the local crafts fair circuit and as wholesale products available throughout greater Kansas City. Erik’s family purchased property that included The New Yellow Rock Barn in 2003. His mother, Jana Lea, ran her interior design business out of what was once the carriage house and is today known as “the shop,” while also completely upgrading the house on the property. Erik’s maternal grandparents, Bob and Jodie Smith, assumed responsibility of The New Yellow Rock Barn. Bob and Jodie, who were honored as the Raytown Citizens of the Year by the Truman Heartland Community Foundation in 2012, used the
Barn, call 816-358-6690 or visit www.theyellowrockbarn.com. ^
The New Yellow Rock Barn
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