Montshire Museum of Science

Museum Rental Information

Submit an online request to rent the Museum

The Montshire offers a variety of rental spaces to meet your needs, and can accommodate up to 350 guests. You may rent the Museum building, which includes access to our indoor exhibit galleries, theater, and the Porter Community Room. From mid-May through September you may add the Museum's two-acre Science Park and the Hughes Pavilion to your rental. (Please note that Science Park and the Hughes Pavilion may not be rented separately.)

If you're interested in adding a truly extraordinary experience to your event, we can provide staff-led, science-based activities that are ideally suited for your guests.Our special events coordinator can assist you with the rental process and necessary details to best suit your needs.

Option 1: Museum Building Rental

The Museum building with two stories of exciting hands-on exhibits, a central atrium, and a vaulted ceiling, creates a setting that exudes both grandeur and intimacy. All Museum rentals include use of the Porter Community Room and adjacent kitchen, and the Museum Theater.

Amenities included

• 150 chairs
• Tables:
  • Ten rectangular tables measuring 8' x 1.5'
  • Eight round tables measuring 4'
  • Four round tables measuring 5'
• Dropdown screen
• Zoned lighting on dimmer switches
• Kitchen for heating and serving food (adjacent to Community Room)
• Access to the Museum galleries and exhibits, including visiting exhibitions
• Lighted parking for 225 cars

Option 2: Museum Building, Science Park and Hughes Pavilion Rental (mid May - September)

Science Park includes intriguing outdoor exhibits, a lovely terrace, and nature trails along the banks of the Connecticut River. The recently constructed 2400 square-foot Hughes Pavilion is an architecturally unique, tensile membrane structure located on the northwest corner of Science Park. The open-sided pavilion provides beautiful views of Science Park and the Wind Wall, environmentally thoughtful landscaping, and access for catering vehicles. A truly spectacular setting for a memorable event!

Additional amenities include use of (in addition to everything in Option 1)

• Ten six-foot picnic tables under the pavilion
• Eight six-foot picnic tables on the nearby lawn
• Lighting in the pavilion and path lighting in Science Park
• Restroom facilities adjacent to the pavilion

Rental Hours and Fees

Hours

Set up in the Community Room and pavilion may begin at 4:00 p.m. and guests may arrive as early as 5:30 p.m. The standard rental period ends at 10:00 p.m., but may be extended on an hourly basis.

Rental fees

Option 1: Museum Building rental - $1275
Option 2: Museum Building, Science Park, and Hughes Pavilion - $1975

Hourly rate after 10 p.m.

Option 1: $300/hour
Option 2: $400/hour

Montshire Corporate Associates receive a $250 savings on rentals.
Learn more about becoming an MCA member.

Services available for an additional fee include: Educational demonstrations and activities led by our professional staff, setting up Museum chairs and tables, moving picnic tables (pavilion), moving interior exhibits, and clean-up. Our special events coordinator will be happy to discuss these options with you.

Submit an online request to rent the Museum

Museum Rental Rates
Museum Rental Policies & Guidelines