A GREAT PLACE TO HAVE A PRIVATE FUNCTION

Picnics, Reunions, Weddings, Meetings, Receptions, Worship Services

The Museum is delighted to make its facilities available to families and private organizations including religious congregation for their activities. 

Click Here to inquire about reserving our public spaces.  There is no rental fee for any kind of regular worship service and picnic, but we do charge nominal fees for other purposes (with appropriate discounts for members).

The following information may be helpful to you:

The Museum Center Galleries are good for after-hours receptions and small dinner parties.  They are not available for private functions during Museum operating hours.  Limited catering support space (no kitchen) is available.  The lobby counter is often used as a bar for refreshments.  Fee:  $500 and expenses borne by the Museum.  The fee is waived for Benefactor Members of the Museum.

The Red Barn is also useful for receptions, luncheons, dinners and other events, and may be rented either for daytime use or after-hours.  Approximately 80 chairs and eight  rectangular tables are available.  Fee: $500 and expenses borne by the Museum.  The fee is lower or free for members (depending on membership level.)

The Picnic Shelter is fine for family reunions, church groups, and other gatherings of as many as 100 people.  The Shelter is available during Museum operating hours, or after-hours.  Fee: $60 plus expenses borne by the Museum.  For Members of the Museum, the fee is reduced to $45.

The Amphitheatre is an excellent facility for worship services and outdoor performances.  It provides bench seating for about 100, under the shade of an old Chinkapin Oak, and has a platform with lectern.  Fee: There is no fee, but expenses borne by the Museum must be reimbursed

Horsepen Farmstead is often used for weddings, this large 1880s dwelling is also available for small group luncheons and meetings of about 25 people. Its porch serves as a wedding altar, and as a stage for musicians for private after-hours functions.  Fee: $60 for indoor use, plus expenses borne by the Museum.  For Members, the fee is reduced to $45.

Weddings:  $500, plus expenses borne by the Museum. 

 The Grounds

The use of a portion of the grounds, in connection with a scheduled event, may be arranged in advance at no additional charge.  However, such use cannot interfere with the enjoyment of the Pioneer Park by visitors to the Museum, nor may it include any of the historic buildings or their porches.

Making Reservations and Estimating Possible Expenses

Any group wanting the use of Museum facilities should make a reservation well in advance of the intended date.  This is to ensure that the facility or facilities is not already set aside for other uses by the Museum or by other groups.

ONE PERSON representing the group will be responsible for working with the Museum staff, signing the appropriate form, and making the necessary deposit.

EXPENSES to be reimbursed, in addition to the rental fee, will cover any time spent by Museum staff in setting up, cleaning up, and any repairs needed after the event.  For after-hours events in any of the buildings, at least one Museum staff member is required to be present for assistance and security, and this requires a $25 per hour charge to compensate the staff member for overtime.

The Museum and Pioneer Park are intended to be educational and represent the cultural heritage of this region.  The Museum has more than 700 “owners,” our Members.  Membership is open to all. 

ARRIVAL OF GUESTS: Guests shall arrive NO EARLIER than the time specified in the rental agreement.  This is necessary to ensure that a staff member is present and the rented facility is available. 

TRASH CONTAINERS are provided on the grounds.  Disposing of trash on the lawns or in the exhibit buildings is not permitted.

ELECTRONIC MUSIC is not allowed in the Pioneer Park (except for Museum authorized special events.)  It is reserved for guitars, fiddles, autoharps, banjos, wind instruments, etc., with minimal amplification.

SMOKING must be confined to the outdoors areas away from any of the buildings.  The is for the safety of these historic buildings and the objects they contain.

ADMISSION TO THE BUILDINGS: The event rental fee does not include admission to the Museum Center or Pioneer Park buildings.  Group rate admission tickets may be purchased so that guests may tour these buildings during the Museum’s normal operating schedule.