The Brier Barn was originally built as a dark-fired tobacco barn in the early 1900's. The Dorris family continuously grew dark-fired tobacco for over 100 years and used the barn exclusively for that purpose. Over the course of a century the barn received several additions to accomodate a growing family and increased tobacco production. Each addition to the barn was hand crafted using local lumber cut from the farm. This barn is a truly authentic example of a dark-fired tobacco barn in an area made famous for its dark-fired tobacco production.
The production of each tobacco crop is very labor intensive and requires hundreds of man hours. Four generations of the Dorris family have labored in this barn to produce fine dark-fired tobacco. Over the years the barn became the hub of the tobacco production on the farm. At harvest time the tobacco was cut in the field and hung in the barn. The tobacco was then finished in the barn through the process of firing. After the firing process was completed, the tobacco leaves were stripped from the stalk. The barn was then used to prepare the stripped leaves for sale at a local loose floor or tobacco company.
In 2016 the Dorris family converted this barn into a beautiful wedding venue. This venue has been made possible due to 100 years of craftsmanship and hardwork. The venue offers authenticity that is impossible to replicate as it offers original sawmill lumber, oversized timber framing, and a natural dark finish on its interior walls from the firing process. After over a century of progress, the Dorris family is pleased to provide a place to bring together family and friends.