Make your celebration extra special with a unique experience at the Montshire. Enjoy unique river views, hiking trails, and access to all science exhibits.
The Montshire is an ideal venue for:
Rent the Montshire for your exclusive, private experience!
Renting the Montshire includes options for exclusive evening use of the Museum’s indoor galleries and engaging exhibits.
Masks are required for everyone age 3 and up when inside the museum.
No food or drink are allowed indoors.
Capacity in Porter Community Room is reduced to allow for extra space between seats.
The Montshire reserves the right to change or add policies if/as needed.
Private events must be scheduled Wednesday–Monday, outside of Montshire business hours; the only exception is for the use of the Anderson Center (see below for more details).
Prices below include 4 hours in the space, including set up and clean up time. Set up can begin at 4:00pm for Anderson Center rentals and after 5:00pm for the galleries and other public spaces. Events need to have a publicized start time of 5:30pm or later.
Additional hourly fee of $200 is applied to events that exceed 4 hours, inclusive of set up and clean up.
An insured caterer is required for outdoor food service—no potluck allowed. A Vermont licensed bartender is required for alcohol service.
No pets or smoking on Montshire property except in our parking lot.
Renters are welcome to use tables and seating that are in place around the property, but no arranged seating or tables are provided anywhere except in the Porter Community Room.
Pricing below is for events that fall within the guidelines of our basic policy. Montshire approval is needed and additional hourly fees apply for events that fall outside these policies.
The Anderson Center is ideal for business meetings and presentations. This is the only space in the museum that may be booked during museum hours, at the discretion of staff. It includes:
Porter Community Room, which includes:
- Capacity: 50
- Projector and screen
- Variety of wired and wireless microphones
- Lectern
- Ability to do hybrid in-person/Zoom meeting
- Inputs for a variety of audio and video devices including HDMI, VGA, ¾”
- Music playback
- Adjustable LED lighting
- Tables and chairs available
50 armless chairs
Ten 8’ rectangular tables
Ten 4’ round tables
Ten 5’ round tables
Four 32” high top tables
Dedicated coat room and storage area
Six non-gendered restrooms (2 fully ADA compliant)
Lighted parking lot
Access to all exhibits and amenities on both floors of the Museum and the tower
A lovely space for a small reception, or allow guests to flow outdoors for fresh air
Access to electricity
Exhibits on the terrace include Pollinator Garden, Musical Fence, and Lithophone
Covered concrete pad serves as a spot for events of all kinds
Simple track lighting available, as well as access to electricity
Access road for vendors, including food trucks
NOTE: Exhibits installed in the Pavilion may need to stay in place for private events; please contact us for more details.
All of our exclusive outdoor exhibits including the Rill
Access to all trails
Outdoor engagement for all ages
Extra hour: $200/hour (by arrangement, schedule permitting)
Rental includes:
Informal and unique event for up to 20 guests
Pick the location: indoor galleries, Play Grove (river view), Pavilion, Terrace, or Amphitheatre (outdoor venues available weather permitting, May–October)
Two hours on day of the event: 5:30–7:30pm or 6:00–8:00pm:
One hour for photos on property with bride, groom, and photographer
One hour for guests to gather, perform ceremony, and take further photos if desired
Complimentary visit to scout locations for ceremony and photos; staff are also happy to make recommendations
Two complimentary guest passes for the newlyweds
Learn more about the ins and outs of renting the Montshire!
Montshire will provide staffing for the event, including:
For health and safety purposes, food must be served in individual packages (e.g. box suppers; pre-made, individually wrapped sandwiches).
No buffets, potluck, birthday cakes, cafeteria-style, self-service, or shared foods.
There are no kitchen facilities, but there is access to water in the outdoor restrooms and electrical outlets on the Terrace and in the Pavilion.
Renters may contract separately with Vermont licensed caterers, bartenders and/or food trucks.
All vendor activity is limited to the 2-hour rental timeframe and vendors are only allowed to provide food and drink.
Food cannot be sold on the premises unless it is from a food truck.
Upcharge may apply for additional staff time needed to coordinate with Renter’s vendor.
Vendors must comply with the Montshire’s health and safety protocols.
Outdoor exhibits and facilities are closed during electrical storms.
An alternate event date can be selected at booking, or, with appropriate notice, an outdoor reservation can be changed to indoor (all indoor policies apply).
Renter and MMS staff will consult 12-24 hours in advance of the event to make the decision to reschedule or cancel (cancellation policies apply) the event.
All attendees must wear masks and social distance as much as possible while inside the building. When outside, masks are required when speaking to Montshire staff.
The full list of the Montshire Museum of Science’s current health and safety policies are available on the Montshire’s Visit page. As all guests will need to comply with these guidelines, Renter should review these policies before booking, as well as in advance of their event date as policies may have changed. Any guest demonstrating disregard for the health and safety protocols will be asked to leave.
Due to the limited timeframe of the rental, all museum spaces are to be used “as-is”. Only small personal items, such as blankets, portable camp chairs, a small sound system are allowed outdoors; indoors, an iPhone can be hooked up to the museum’s PA to play music. The community room is not included as part of any rental.
All rentals must be reserved a minimum of two weeks prior to the event date.
A signed agreement with one-half of the rental fee is required to hold a date.
The balance of the rental fee and a $300 security deposit is due two weeks prior to your event.
Security deposit refunds will be issued within 30 days following the event, assuming there is no damage or unusual custodial requirements—including additional staff time—as a result of the event.
The Montshire does not provide insurance coverage or assume responsibility for the actions of any individual or entity renting the facilities. Liability and/or property damage arising from the group’s actions is the responsibility of the group or person that has reserved the space.
If Renter cancels their event more than 3 weeks prior to the event date, a full refund of deposit will be made to Renter. If Renter cancels 2 weeks before the event, 50% of deposit is forfeited. Cancellations made by the Renter less than two weeks prior to the event are nonrefundable. The Montshire reserves the right to cancel an event and retain the deposit if Renter and guests are unable to comply with health, safety and other Montshire policies.
Reflecting the Montshire’s role in the community and mission, Museum trustees have restricted certain functions held at the Montshire. Events relating to political campaigns, political agendas, or sponsored by political parties are not allowed. Museum administration may choose not to accept requests or cancel events that they consider potentially adverse to the Museum’s operations. Charging admission or selling tickets to an event held at the Montshire is not permitted. Fundraising of any kind is not permitted, nor is selling merchandise.