The Alice Hardie Stevens Center, named for the woman responsible for spearheading the drive to save the Ivinson Mansion from demolition, was built in the early 1920s as a gymnasium and dorm for use by the Jane Ivinson Cathedral Home for Girls. It is owned and operated by the Laramie Plains Museum and provides some of the revenues needed for museum operations. Used mainly for wedding receptions, classes, anniversary parties, and special community events, the Center is available for $600 for a full day/evening, with an additional $500 refundable security deposit. The deposit will be refunded if the site is left in satisfactory condition after your use.
The Center is a large room with a wooden floor,a small stage with a screen for the back wall, three french doors that open to a lush lawn, and a full catering kitchen. There are three public bathrooms and a lovely bridal dressing room that is handy for the bride and her attendants to exit for a wedding on the museum's east lawn. The Center is handicapped accessible with parking available close to the facility.
The kitchen has two stoves, three refrigerators, two microwave ovens, a three section sink, and a large commercial dishwasher. Some coffee cups, saucers, plates, and other assorted items are stored in the kitchen for your use, but check on these items before you plan to use them, as the items are limited in number. 100 and 32-cup coffee urns are provided. (No catering services are provided by the Laramie Plains Museum, but most of the caterers in Laramie know our kitchen and are pleased with its facilities.)
The Center has 15 8' long tables (30" wide), 12 large round tables that seat 7-8 people, and 3 small round tables that can seat 5 people. 100 fabric banquet chairs are also included. You are responsible for set-up and clean-up, unless you have arranged for caretaker setup ($25) or cleanup ($75) services. The lawn west of the Center is available for your use, and tents may be erected. We have black metal folding chairs that may be used with the tables outside.
Please be aware that this is a residential area and you will be responsible for keeping the noise to a reasonable level. There are some decorating restrictions because of the historic nature of the structure. These are detailed on the AHSC rental brochure (available from the Laramie Plains Museum office). The room offers you a plain but historic canvas so it can be decorated easily with wonderful results!
Dimensions: Room is 32' x 45.5'; Stage is 10' x 19'
As the AHSC is one of the most popular reception halls in Laramie, we suggest signing up for your spot as early as possible!
East Lawn Rental
The lush lawn on the grounds of the Laramie Plains Museum is available for private functions including weddings, receptions, fund-raisers, rendezvous, antique car shows, and other gatherings. The fee is $350 with a $250 refundable deposit. If you choose to rent both this East Lawn & the Alice Hardie Stevens Center, we offer a reduced "package rate." The area available is a full quarter of the Ivinson block. It is mowed lawn surrounded by Victorian gardens and large trees. Buildings on the grounds are not accessible for the party (unless you have made package arrangements). Porto-johns may be necessary for large gatherings. Tents may be set up on the lawn, but please check with the caretaker before setting up stakes (as there is an underground sprinkler system). Chairs and tables are available only with AHSC rental. Lawn games such as croquet or lawn darts are welcomed!
Ivinson Mansion
The mansion can be rented for small wedding ceremonies. Mansion event rental is $500, with a $500 deposit. The mansion, built in 1892, has been restored to its Victorian era elegance. For your wedding, the Museum will be closed for a time before, during, and after your event. The maximum number of guests is 50 people, due to the confined and delicate nature of the building. Guests will be allowed into the Smoking Room (where male attendants can dress), first floor Powder Room (which is available for use), Drawing Room, Library, Foyer, Vestibule, and second floor Foyer (where the bride and attendants may ready themselves). Museum volunteers and/or staff will be in attendance to supervise the ceremony, provide security, and help where needed. Most of the antique furniture will be moved from the area used for the ceremony, along with breakables, but enough items will be left to provide a lovely Victorian ambiance. The bride generally walks down the grand staircase to meet her groom, and the ceremony can take place either at the bottom of the stairs, in the Drawing Room, Library or Foyer. Up to eight parlor chairs can be provided for older or handicapped individuals. Unfortunately, the Museum is not handicapped accessible, and there is no ramp to facilitate easy entrance. Decorations must be limited; heavy arrangements (especially those containing water, as well as those with flowers, pollen or glitter) must have a plate under them. Rental includes time for a short rehearsal a day or two before the ceremony. Food, water, and drinks are prohibited inside the mansion, and we request that your guests be forewarned of our strict "no-touching" or sitting policy.
The museum asks that bird seed be used in lieu of rice or confetti.
Call the Laramie Plains Museum to reserve the Alice Hardie Stevens Center, the East Lawn, or the Ivinson Mansion for your function 307.742.4448.
