To rent the Old State House Museum Grounds, Riverfront Room, Central Hallway, and/or Supreme Court, individuals and organizations must abide by the following rental policies.

1.    In addition to the public events sponsored or co-sponsored by the Old State House Commission and to public events which contribute directly to the purpose of the Old State House, the Commission allows private use by individuals and organizations. No private use may interfere with the operation of the Old State House as a public museum facility, and a reasonable charge is made for each private use. The area available, the duration of the use and the number of participants may be limited for reasons of historic preservation, safety to the public, or security to the Old State House.

2.    Applications for private use of the Old State House are made in writing to the Administrative Manager or the Special Openings Coordinator.  Specific conditions governing the use of the Old State House will accompany the reply, and must be accepted by the applicant before the event. A non-refundable charge is made, payment of which must be received before the date of the event. Final confirmation of building use will not be made until the applicant accepts the Commission’s conditions and full payment is received by the Old State House Commission.

3.    The Old State House is a history museum within a historic site. First responsibility is to the building, its collections and programs. Within certain limits the building is available for appropriate uses.   Members of the Old State House Museum Associates receive up to a 20% discount on rentals.

4.    Private use of the Old State House will be available only when the following conditions are agreed to and met:

a.    The user will file with museum staff a Special Usage Plan form (an example is in the Appendix)

b.    The user will file with museum staff a Special Usage Agreement form (an example is in the Appendix)
c.    The user agrees that the Old State House facility and grounds will not be used to sell a product, announce a fund raising activity or hold a fund-raising event unless the Old State House is the direct benefactor of the sale or fund-raiser.

d.    A fee will be charged to all who use the facility and/or grounds according to the fee schedule included later in this section.

e.    No event may exceed 4 hours. Set-up and clean-up are limited to an additional hour each.

f.    Alcoholic beverages may be served for two hours only.

g.    Food and drink are to be catered by a professional firm approved by the Old State House and will be restricted to areas designated by the Old State House. Caterers are required to do their own set-up and clean-up. No beer kegs are permitted inside the building. All trash must be removed from the building and deposited in the dumpster.

h.    Should inclement weather occur during use of the grounds, the party is to cease immediately unless the user has made an additional deposit with the Old State House for use of the facility due to inclement weather. Should inclement weather not occur, the deposit for the facility will be returned.

i.    Smoking is prohibited by City Ordinance.

j.    Small musical ensembles are permitted including electrical keyboard instruments. Pianos may not be taken upstairs.

k.    Birdseed and flower petals may be thrown outside only. No rice may be thrown.

l.    No alterations of the galleries, walls or any part of the building or exhibits are permitted in any way.

m.    User must provide chairs, tables, cloths, security guards (if needed) and any other supplies necessary for the function.

n.    With the exception of the Old State House Museum Associates functions, no seated dinners may be held in either legislative chamber. Exceptions to this rule may be permitted on a case by case basis by the Old State House Commission.

o.    All foods and beverages for receptions must be carried up and down the central stairway.

p.    Due to the age of the floors, dancing will not be allowed.

q.    No candles or ice sculptures will be allowed in the museum. Chafing dishes with sterno may be used.

r.    Only freestanding tents are allowed on the grounds.
s.    At least three (3) weeks written notification of cancellation is required or the full usage rate will be charged.

t.    The user is responsible for and will assume the cost for any damages to the building and its contents or the grounds during his or her function.

u.    Failure to return this form one (1) month prior to the event abolishes the responsibility of the Old State House to hold the date.

v.    The user must provide one off-duty policeman or a licensed security guard per 200 people.

w.    The Special Usages Manager must approve early delivery of decorations, floral arrangements, food and/or beverages.