Delaware Historical Society

Distinctive Meeting & Rental Properties of the Delaware Historical Society

The Historical Society has a number of rooms
and even a garden to choose from to host your event...
please just scroll down the page to learn more about
our available rental sites in Wilmington and Old New Castle.

2008 Rental Information

Please note:
v ALL renters must be members of the Delaware Historical Society at the Sustaining level or above for individuals or Business level or above for companies. Others considered at the discretion of the Executive Director.
v Additional hourly staff fee will be charged to all rentals

Read House | Delaware History Center | Rental Guidelines | Search HSD

Delaware History Center
Host your meeting or special event in an historic building at the Delaware History Center in Wilmington. We offer a variety of atmospheres for your occasion, from decorated playrooms for children's parties (Grandma's Attic), architecturally unique meeting rooms for larger groups (Copeland Room), the exhibit galleries for evening receptions, the distinguished rooms of Old Town Hall for dances or lectures, and the beautiful outdoor Willingtown Square.

The Wilmington location is near major hotels and restaurants, the train station, and bus station. The complex is a short drive from I-95 and U.S. 13. Off street parking can be arranged for a nominal fee. Directions & map.

For additional rental information on our Wilmington sites, please call (302) 655-7161.

The Delaware History Museum

A renovated 1940s Woolworth's with exhibit galleries, a gift shop, meeting rooms, including the Copeland Room, & Grandma's Attic.

Please click here for a downloadable copy of the Society's Rules & Regulations for renting at the Delaware History Museum.

The Copeland Room

59 x 48 feet, Highly flexible space
Integrated speaker system
Breakout rooms and limited catering facilities available
Chairs, tables, other equipment available for additional $50
Breakout rooms available for $50 per room
Galleries open during event for additional $50
No DJs, dancing, or dance floors permitted

The Copeland Room can be used for:

Conferences, Seminars, Meetings
Accommodates 25 – 300 theatre style, 150 at tables

Dinners
Accommodates 50 – 200 people

Cocktail Receptions
Accommodates 25 – 350 people

RATES:
Day (9 a.m. – 5 p.m.): $150 per hour
Evening (5 p.m. – 11 p.m.): $200 per hour
Evening (11 p.m. and later): $350 per hour
Weekend (Saturday and Sunday): $250 per hour

Grandma's Attic
A popular area for children's parties, featuring learn-and-play discovery area with vintage dress-up, historic games, puppet theater, old-fashioned market place, 1940s kitchen and a one-room school house. Our adjoining Cloud Room is available for your "cake-and-ice cream" celebration.

Limited to 20 children

Standard party: $150 and $2 per child

Private party: $175 and $2 per child

Grandma's Attic Rentals only available on Saturdays

Prices include 2 hours in Grandma’s Attic and separate room for refreshments.
We provide: refrigerator, sink, tables, and chairs.
All other paper goods, decorations, food and beverages must be brought in by renter. Any additional entertainment must be approved by the Delaware Historical Society.

If you are interested in booking Grandma's Attic for a birthday party, please contact MaryLynn at 302-295-2390 or mlmack@dehistory.org.

Old Town Hall

Ideal for lectures, concerts, receptions, press conferences and intimate wedding ceremonies

Restrooms located next door in the Delaware History Museum

Availability may be limited

Design and placement of decorations is limited and MUST BE approved by the Society’s curatorial staff

Chairs and other equipment available for additional $150

Accommodates 200 standing, 100 seated theatre style, 75 seated with center aisle

RATES:
   Day (9 a.m. – 5 p.m.): $250 per hour
   Evening (5 p.m. – 11 p.m.): $350 per hour
   Weekend (Saturday and Sunday): $350 per hour

Willingtown Square

Ideal for outdoor receptions

Central green can be tented

No DJ’s

Daylight hours only

RATES:
    Day (9 a.m. – 5 p.m.): $150 per hour
    Weekend (Saturday and Sunday): $250 per hour

The Read House & Gardens

The Read House & Gardens in Historic New Castle is perfect for garden wedding ceremonies. The property is located in the heart of Delaware's Colonial Capital, on the Delaware River.

Directions & map

For additional information on the Read House & Gardens please call (302) 322-8411.

The Gardens
The two-and-a-half acre formal garden that surrounds the Read House has become a popular spot for outdoor wedding ceremonies. Several areas of the gardens can be tented.

Rental Guidelines

Rules and Regulations for renting at the Delaware History Museum
(click here for a downloadable copy)

Reservations, deposits and fee schedule

In order to assure availability, reservations must be made as soon as possible.

A security deposit and deposit of rental fee will be required no later than two weeks prior to your event. A date is not guaranteed until a deposit is received.

The remainder of the rental fee is due the day of the event, prior to its commencement.

Catering

A professional caterer must be used if food or beverage service is required for an event. The Delaware Historical Society can provide an approved caterer's list and in all cases must approve the caterer.

Equipment

The Delaware Historical Society has a limited number of chairs, tables, and audio-visual equipment available for rent. A list of area rental companies can be provided as well.

Home