Vesterheim Rental Spaces

Vesterheim offers rental spaces to individuals, groups, and organizations for tours, functions, meetings, and events. Read below for basic information.

For more information or to sign a rental agreement and reserve your space, contact Chivonne Marlow, Vesterheim Director of Visitor Services, at cmarlow@vesterheim.org or 563-382-9681, ext. 305.

Events may not compete with or detract from Vesterheim’s own activities, regular use by museum patrons, or staff in the performance of their duties. Vesterheim’s primary concern is preservation and care of its collection and facilities.

Vesterheim declines use of its property for any of the following: 

• Any political activity
• Religious gatherings or ceremonies
• Weddings
• Commercial or entrepreneurial events such as business solicitation and fundraising other than fundraising that supports Vesterheim
• Regular or recurring meetings 

A serving kitchen is available for use with any of the Commons spaces, which includes a refrigerator, ice machine, countertops, and a small sink. It is appropriate for light food arranging but not cooking. Caterers must supply all tableware and serving items. 
 
Furnishings for indoors: Twelve 6-ft. tables and chairs, six high-top tables, approximately 80 chairs,  
96-inch display and sound system.  
 
Furnishings for outdoors may be limited.  Please discuss options with the Director of Visitor Services.

• First Floor is an open space that may be used for receptions, meetings, small banquets,  and gatherings. Food and beverage inside the Commons are limited to the first floor only.  
  Capacity: 60 for a sit-down meal; 75 for theater-style seating; 90 for a standing reception.
  Guests may visit the second floor to view the gallery space and oculus, and the third floor on a limited basis, for the overlook of the Heritage Park.    
• North Plaza (outdoor space)  Serving window from the kitchen. Capacity: 90 for standing receptions.  A limited number of additional tables and chairs may be available. 
• Second-Floor Terrace (outdoor space)  Capacity: 20. The high-top tables may be used in  this space. 

Total capacity may not exceed 90 guests. 
 
Rental of this space is permitted between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. All events must end  
by 10:00 p.m., including clean-up. 
 
Cost: $300 for the first three hours and $75 for each additional hour (not prorated). Deposit: $250.

The pad for a food truck is a flat fee of $50 in addition to the cost of the rental space. The pad has one 220-volt outlet and one 110-volt outlet. 

Lunch in Commons Following a Group Tour

Space may be used as available and must be arranged in advance. Boxed lunches only. 

Groups of 15-30 guests
Cost: $30 per hour, up to two hours. Deposit $100
Groups of 31-60 guests
Cost: $50 per hour, up to two hours. Deposit $100 

Amphitheater
Stone slab seating built into the hill with open space for performances or lectures. Capacity: 40.
Alcohol is not permitted.  
Weekday rental of this space is Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.  
All events must end by 5:00 p.m. including clean up. Cost: $25 per hour. Deposit $50. 
 
Evening and weekend rental of this space includes Monday through Friday between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., Saturday from 8:00 a.m. through 8:00 p.m., or Sunday from 8:00 a.m. through 8:00p.m. All events must end by 8:00 p.m., including clean up. Cost: $50 per hour. Deposit $50.

Timber Frame Shelter and Mill Patio (rented together)
Three picnic tables with six benches are in the Timber Frame shelter. Capacity: approximately 25. The Mill Patio contains three Adirondak chairs. A limited number of additional tables and folding chairs may be available upon request. Capacity: approximately 40.  
Alcohol is not permitted.   
Weekday rental of this space is Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. All events must end by 5:00 p.m. including clean up.  Cost: $25 per hour. Deposit $50 
 
Evening and weekend rental of this space includes Monday through Friday between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., Saturday from 8:00 a.m. through 8:00 p.m., or Sunday from 8:00 a.m. through 8:00p.m. All events must end by 8:00 p.m., including clean up.  Cost: $50 per hour.  Deposit $50.

Furnishings include tables and chairs. Capacity: 25 for tables or 40 for theater-style seating.
Only coffee and light snacks permitted. Renter must provide all tableware and serving items.
Rental of this space is limited to three hours, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Cost: $25 per hour, up to three hours. Deposit $50 

Reservation requests may be made 120 days in advance of event dates. Available dates are at the sole discretion of Vesterheim and exclude major holidays and days on which there are museum events. Please allow staff one week to review event requests. Once an event is approved, you will be contacted by staff with an expense estimate, requested deposit amount, and instructions on next steps.

Hours are as arranged with the Director of Visitor Services. Renter(s) will vacate the premises on time and in an orderly manner, ensuring that the property is clean and in the order in which it was assumed.

Rental fees are for the use of the space and regular furnishings. Fees also defray the cost of staff time, maintenance, utilities, and cleaning. Staff will be on the premises during any event to ensure the site’s security. Payment in full is required 30 days before the event.

A deposit correlating to the rental space is required at the time of the reservation. It will be returned within 10 days of the event if a) no damage has occurred during or because of the event and b) proper cleaning procedures are followed.

There is no use beyond 10:00 p.m. including clean-up. Renter will vacate the premises on time and in an orderly manner, ensuring that it is clean and in the order in which it was assumed.

Vesterheim prohibits smoking, vaping, the possession and use of illegal drugs, and firearms on the premises.

Renter may not make any alterations to Vesterheim buildings, furnishings, or property.

All cancellations must be in writing and given to the Director of Visitor Services prior to the event.

• Cancellation 90 days or more in advance of the event will result in a refund of the rental fee and 50% refund of the deposit.
• Cancellation 89 to 14 days in advance of the event will result in a refund of the rental fee and 100% loss of the deposit.
• Cancellation less than 14 days prior to the event will result in no refund of the rental fee or deposit.
• If the event needs to be rescheduled, the ViDirector of Visitor Services will work to reschedule the event
  at no added cost.

Q: Can we have our wedding at Vesterheim?

Weddings are not permitted on Vesterheim property.  Vesterheim Commons is a lovely place for an intimate reception, but the ceremony must be elsewhere.

 

Q: Can we rent the entire Heritage Park?

The only spaces available for rental in Heritage Park are the Mill Plaza and the Amphitheater.

 

Q: Is Bethania Church available for rent?

Because Bethania Church is part of Vesterheim’s collection of artifacts, it is not able to be rented.

 

Q: If we rent Vesterheim Commons during business hours, will it close to the public?

During business hours, Vesterheim Commons will be open to the public. Vesterheim staff will post signs saying, “Event in Progress. Please Enter Quietly.” If a museum guest comes in, staff will show them how to quietly go upstairs to see the second and third floor exhibits. If the patio is rented during business hours, staff will post signs at the entrances to the patio saying that it is in use. Commons spaces rented after business hours will be closed to the public.