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Rentals FAQ

Yellow flowers growing on the branches of a magnolia tree.

FAQ

All private event rentals include admission to the Morris with access to 92 acres of woodlands, meadows and gardens, accessible restrooms and garden pathways, and free on-site parking. Staff is on duty throughout your event. Details for specific types of events are listed below. Please note, catering and other vendor fees are calculated separately. 

With our Wedding Rentals:  

  • Exclusive use of the historic carriage house Visitor Center and grounds for four or five hours of event time, depending on your contract 

  • Reception tent with hard surface floor, lighting, space heaters, and fans 

  • Ceremony chairs, tables and chairs for the reception, and accessory tables 

  • A green room for the wedding party available up to two hours prior to event start 

  • A five-passenger golf cart and driver to transport you around for photos and help guests who need assistance in the gardens 

With our Evening Rentals:

  • Exclusive use of the historic carriage house Visitor Center, or our Out on a Limb treehouse feature, and grounds for three or four hours of event time, depending on your type of event and contract specifics  

  • Either the reception tent with hard surface floor, lighting, space heaters, and fans or our Out on a Limb treehouse feature, depending on contract specifics 

  • Tables and chairs for dining, and accessory tables 

With our Daytime Rentals:  

  • Access to the event areas detailed in your contract for set up and activities 

  • Audio-visual equipment for our Upper Gallery meeting space only 

  • Tables and chairs for your event or meeting

Daytime Event Rates

McLean Room

The McLean Room is our small conference room which may host up to twelve in a boardroom style set up. The room is carpeted and includes a large whiteboard which may double as a projection screen. Space for catering is minimal and may accommodate one to two 6’ tables for set up of a coffee station or boxed lunches. A set of double doors connects the McLean Room to the Upper Gallery, and it is often rented in addition to the Upper Gallery for food and refreshments. The character of the historic building is evident in the stable windows and exposed woods beams. There’s an amazing Morris family tree on display in the room as well.

Size: 17’ x 18’
Capacity: 12
Rate: $150/hour

Classroom

The Classroom is located on the lower level of the Widener Visitor Center and works well for classroom style set-ups for up to 20 people. Space is available for 12 linear feet of catering tables at one end of the room. The space is equipped with a large TV monitor for presentations.  The Mercer tile floor, stucco walls, exposed wood beams and French doors create a cozy, rustic ambience.

Size: 23’ x 19’
Capacity: 22
Rate: $250/hour

Upper Gallery

The Upper Gallery is located on the main floor of the Widener Visitor Center and is a great location for multiple meeting/retreat layouts, including audience-style, classroom, banquet or boardroom. The floors are carpeted, lights are dimmable, and the walls are lined with nature-inspired exhibits. This space includes a projector, screen and podium with microphone and the original barn door slides to create a separation from the Morris gift shop.

Size: 40’x 23’
Capacity: 80 audience style; 50 round tables
Rate: $600/hour

Widener Tent

For daytime events during the months of April through October, the side tent is a great outdoor option. From this hillside vantage point behind the Widener Visitor Center, many of the Morris’s trees and other plantings serve as the backdrop. This area is adjacent to the amenities and screened for privacy. The Widener Tent is not air conditioned but cooled by ceiling fans. 

Size: 70’ x 30’

Capacity: 0–50
Rate: $600/hour

Capacity: 51–100
Rate: $1,100/hour

Capacity: 101–150
Rate: $1,500/hour

Daytime hourly rate between 10 AM and 4 PM; subject to availability (2-hour minimum).
Daytime parties can only be booked up to 6 months prior to event date (subject to availability).

Evening Event Rates

Out on a Limb (6–9 pm)

Capacity

Cocktail: 100
Sit Down: 20

Rate

Friday/Saturday/Sunday: $1,800
Monday - Thursday: $1,400

Visitor Center & Tent (6–10 pm)

Capacity

Sit Down: 175

Rate

Friday/Saturday/Sunday: $2,500
Monday - Thursday: $2,100

Full Gala (6–10/11 pm)

Capacity

Sit Down: 175

Rate

Friday/Saturday/Sunday: $3,500/$3,800
Monday - Thursday: $3,100/$3,400

Evening parties can only be booked up to 6 months prior to event date (subject to availability).

For weddings, please visit our Weddings Rates page.

There are bed and breakfast accommodations and an inn in nearby Chestnut Hill, and hotels close by in the Ft. Washington and Plymouth Meeting areas of suburban Montgomery County.  Below is a list of nearby accommodations: 

Chestnut Hill Hotel 
8229 Germantown Avenue 
Philadelphia, PA 
Contact: (215) 242-5905 

Union League Lodge at Liberty Hill  
800 Ridge Pike 
Lafayette Hill, PA 
Contact: (610) 825-8000 

Courtyard by Marriott 
Germantown Pike and Hickory Road 
Plymouth Meeting, PA 
Contact: (484) 213-8687 

Double Tree Suites 
Germantown Pike and Hickory Road 
Plymouth Meeting, PA 
Contact: (610) 834-8300 

Hampton Inn 
2055 Chemical Road 
Plymouth Meeting, PA 
Contact: (610) 567-0900 

Holiday Inn Express 
432 Pennsylvania Avenue 
Fort Washington, PA 
Contact: (215) 591-9000 

Homewood Suites 
200 Lee Drive 
Plymouth Meeting, PA 
Contact: 610-828-9600 

Hyatt Somerfield Suites 
501 E. Germantown Pike 
East Norriton, PA 
Contact: (610) 313-9990 x601 

Spring Hill Suites 
430 Plymouth Road 
Plymouth Meeting, PA 
Contact: (484) 213-8687 

Hilton Garden Inn – Ft. Washington  
530 Pennsylvania Avenue
Fort Washington PA
Contact: (215) 646-4637

While we encourage you to take pictures during your visit to the Morris Arboretum & Gardens, special arrangements and fees are required for any and all photo shoots. Coming to take photos of our flowers, trees, and bees does not fall into the category, so long as our other photography policies are followed.

We consider photo shoots to be an activity that includes, but is not limited to:

  • Group, engagement, prom, birthday, head shot, fashion, maternity, or couples/family portrait photography.
  • Photography that involves the use of equipment (including booms, lights, and reflectors).
  • Photography that involves a dedicated photographer.
  • Photography taking place outside of normal hours.
  • Sorry, wedding and wedding-like photography are not permitted. Also, no pets or drones. 

Rates start at $275/hour. To get a photo shoot pass, please email rentals@morrisarboretum.org or call 215-247-5777 x158.