Options & Fees

Gaston County Museum of Art & History offers lovely spaces for a variety of events ranging from receptions and lunches to seminars, business meetings, and retreats. Located in Dallas on the Historic Court Square, the museum’s 3-story brick building built in the Greek Revival architectural style in 1852, and preserved by the Gaston County Historical Society in the mid-1970’s and renovated in the early 1980’s to become the museum it is today. Our staff is prepared to work with you individually to ensure that your event is a success.

Gathering Room and Sun Porch
The Gathering Room and Sun Porch offers 795 square feet of floor space that can accommodate 50 people for seated dinners or up to 100 for a standing reception. Fee: $350 (Available only after museum operating hours).

Bull Pen
The Bull Pen is a multi-purpose room formerly used to house jurists coming to Dallas to try cases at the Dallas Courthouse. This space has a small room with a sink and shelves, with a restroom also available. It can accommodate up to 35-40 for seated receptions, showers, or up to 60 for meetings and standing receptions. Fee: $100 (can be rented during operating hours).

The Anne Biggers Furr Learning Center
This was formerly the Dallas Depot and is a beautifully renovated train depot that once served the Southern Railroad line. It has refrigerator, sink and counter space for catered events (no stove is available). The space would work beautifully for wedding receptions, workshops, family reunions, or meetings. Fee: $350 (can be rented during or after operating hours.)

Museum Grounds
The museum grounds with shade trees, gardens and brick patio and walkway offers a quaint, natural setting for outdoor events. The grounds allow for a sit-down event for up to 250 people. The Carriage House exterior restrooms are available for use and there are electrical outlets for lights and sound equipment. It is a beautiful setting for weddings, receptions, or birthday parties. Fee: $500 (Available only after operating hours).

Entire Museum and Grounds
For that extra special family gathering, reunion, wedding or gathering, consider renting the entire museum as your venue. Tours of the museum can be arranged in advance and staff will be available to make this a fun and educational experience. Renting the museum will give access to the Gathering Room (for food set-up) and restrooms, Sun Porch, 2nd floor exhibit galleries, Bull Pen, Textile Exhibit, and museum grounds. Fee: $2000 (Available on a Sunday or after operating hours).

Caterers 
The museum prefers licensed caterers be booked for your event and names are available from the Administrative Assistant. We will discuss options to the use of a licensed caterer.

Kitchen Use
A small catering kitchen is located in the museum basement; it is equipped with stove, refrigerator and sink. Use of the kitchen space is $50.00 and does include 1 - 2 6-ft tables in the basement area for set-up use. It is the responsibility of the renter(s) to make certain the kitchen and basement area is left free of debris and the area is cleaned appropriately before leaving the museum.

Tables, Tablecloths, & Chairs
The museum has 45 black folding chairs available at $1.00 per chair. If you have access to chairs from another source, renting these or borrowing these, this is advised for an outdoor event. The museum chairs and tables are used inside the building only.

Tables available for rental include:
Five 6-ft long rectangles (seats 8) - $5.00 ea
Four 4-ft round tables (seats 6) - $5.00 ea
Five 5-ft round tables (seats 8) - $7.00 ea
Five tablecloths for either 6-ft longs or 5-ft rounds in burgundy color or medium blue (cobalt) $10.00 ea

Tents
 These would need to rented or borrowed for your event.

Miscellaneous
The museum does not have silverware, china, glassware or other accessories for events. These items can be rented and the Administrative Assistant does have contact numbers for this. Rentals must be delivered and picked up on the same day as the event as the museum has no storage areas for these and can not assume liability for others’ equipment.

Deposits
A $100 deposit (cash, credit card or check) is required when the Facilities Rental Agreement is signed. This establishes the event date. If notification of cancellation is received by the museum 30 DAYS PRIOR TO THE EVENT, one-half ($50) of  the deposit will be returned. The total rental amount is due no later than 30 days prior to the event. Events are limited to 4 hours (this doesn’t include set-up & break down). Delivery & set-up is coordinated with the Administrative Assistant prior to the event. The Town of Dallas Noise Ordinance prohibits events lasting past 11PM. For more details, please contact Administrative Assistant at 704-922-7681, x 100.