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Meetings and Retreats

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Empty round tables underneath a tent backdropped by flowering pimk and white spring trees.

Widener Visitor Center

The Widener Visitor Center, built in 1888, is in the grey stone building that first served as the gardener’s cottage, carriage house, and stables. Our facility offers several rooms and set-up styles available for meetings and other daytime rentals. For food service you may choose from any of our approved caterers, who represent a variety of cuisine styles and price ranges. Our events season runs from April 1 through the end of October and dates may be booked up to six months in advance.

The building is outfitted with Central Air. Quality audio-visual equipment can be provided for your use in select locations. While Wi-Fi is available in the Center, please refer to this connection guide.

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A large group of people sit in chairs facing a speaker.

Meetings  

Small meetings for up to 12 may be booked in our McLean Room conference space or up to 20 in our Classroom for durations of as little as two hours or up to 8 hours depending on availability. Tables and chairs are provided for a variety of set up configurations.

Larger meetings for up to 50 may be booked in our indoor Upper Gallery space with A/V capabilities and optional access to the McLean Room for catering set up. Spaces may be booked for timeframes of two to eight hours based on availability. Tables and chairs are provided and may be set up in a variety of layouts including boardroom, classroom, lecture, and dining styles. 

Outdoor meetings for a range of sizes may be booked in the reception tent which offers flexible layout options and power outlets to set up your own a/v if desired. Meetings may be for up to 50, 50-100 or 101-150 attendees. Tables and chairs are provided and may be set up in a variety of layouts including boardroom, classroom, lecture, and dining styles. For all meetings, linens and catering may be provided through one of our catering teams.

 

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Tables and chairs in an outdoor tent with a backdrop of cherry blossoms.

Retreats 

Planning a full day off-site with your team? Morris offers retreats for small groups under ten to larger groups of up to 50 utilizing a combination of the meeting spaces listed above. Custom rates are available per your event requirements. Contact the Rentals Team for estimates and availability.

Guided tours may be scheduled in tandem with your rental through the Education Department. Contact tours@morrisarboretum.org for tour information and booking.  

Room Descriptions

Daytime Event Rates

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

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

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

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).

A color table setting.
Learn More
See our approved caterers and vendors, read through our FAQ, and contact us.