Rental Guidelines

COVID-19 Protocols & Safety Measures

  • Maximum capacity 25 people, including bridal couple, guests, officiant, photographer/videographer, musician(s), and other vendors.
  • On-site Wedding Concierge and Museum Staff will set up/break down folding chairs.
  • Post-Ceremony Toasts. Client is responsible for bringing food/beverage and all supplies (tablecloth, cups, napkins, cutlery), as well as setting up, arranging, and serving. Catered events are not permitted. The Museum cannot take deliveries prior to the event. Museum Staff will set up one caterer’s table (30″ x 72″) for serving.
  • In case of rain, the Ceremony will be held in our elegant Greek Revival Double Parlor and the Toast in the 1850s Kitchen. The Garden cannot be tented. Seating will be limited to adhere to social distancing restrictions.
  • Hand-sanitizing stations are posted throughout the Museum; enhanced measures for cleaning and disinfecting have been implemented.
  • An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public space where people are present. Those visiting the Merchant’s House Museum do so at their own risk as to such exposure.
  • Rental guidelines are subject to change in accordance with recommendations from NYS, NYC, and the CDC.

Pre-Event Timeline

  • One week prior/ final headcount. Client must submit a final headcount one week before the event (i.e., bridal couple, guests, officiant, photographer/videographer, musician(s), other vendors.
  • 24 hours prior/self-screening report. For the safety of all, self-screening is required of the client, their guests and vendors, 24 hours before the event along with a written statement that everyone is symptom-free and adheres to NYS’s Travel Advisory. Client must have contact information for all in case of the need for contact tracing.

Amenities, Access, and Museum Staff

  • Rental fee includes a tax-deductible, one-year membership in the Merchant’s House Museum.
  • The Museum has two public restrooms and a coat room on the ground floor.
  • Rentals include the use of gold folding chairs for wedding ceremonies, one 30″ x 72″ table, and trash bins. All other supplies are the responsibility of the client.
  • Client may use the museum’s refrigerator to chill beverages/food.
  • Guided Tours of the house are available at an additional charge.
  • At least two staff members of the Museum will be on site during the event.
  • The Museum is not currently wheelchair accessible.

Approval and Fees

  • All applications for special events are subject to approval by the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors, at the recommendation of the Executive Director.
  • A signed Rental Agreement and non-refundable deposit of 30 percent are required to confirm the date.
  • Cancellation due to COVID. If the event must be canceled due to a change in COVID-19
    Guidelines, the deposit will be refunded less an administrative fee of $150. Otherwise, the deposit is non-refundable.
  • Additional fees. The charge to close the museum during public visiting hours is $250-$400/hour, depending on already-scheduled tours. Large decorations (floral arches, free-standing chuppahs, etc.), musicians or DJs; docent tours of the house; and a second table for the Toast, Champagne flutes, or other catering supplies are subject to additional fees – as are events requiring a large number of vendors or deliveries outside the start and end times of the event may, at the discretion of the Executive Director.
  • A damage deposit of $500 (or as determined by the Executive Director) is due at time of deposit and will be held for one week after the event.
  • Overtime is at a rate of $200/half-hour, rounded up to the nearest half-hour, and is permitted only at the discretion of museum staff. Overtime includes early arrival.
  • Payment of balance (by check or credit card) is due one week prior to the event.

Room/Garden Usage

  • Clients have access to the space(s) listed in the Rental Agreement only. Clients are not permitted in other areas of the museum.
  • Objects in the collection may not be touched, nor may the furniture be sat upon.
  • Only Museum personnel may move objects in the Museum’s collection.
  • Smoking is prohibited.
  • Photography, with flash, is allowed in all spaces.
  • Food and drink may be served in the garden and 1850s kitchen only.

Decorations

  • Decoration/styling of the Museum is allowed only under the direct supervision of the staff and requires prior approval.
  • The use of nails, stickpins, tape, paint, or any other material that could have irreversible effects on the Museum building or its collections is not allowed.
  • All decorations must be removed from the Museum at the end of the event.
  • Fires in the fireplaces are not permitted.
  • Flower petals for weddings may be tossed on the front steps only. No rice or birdseed are permitted in the garden or inside the Museum.

Insurance

  • In the case of an event sponsored by a corporate or non-profit entity, the Museum requires proof of coverage of Renter’s activities at the Museum by general liability insurance (or as determined by the Executive Director).
  • For Clients who are individuals, such coverage is at the discretion of the Executive Director.
  • If required, a proof of insurance must be submitted prior to the event.