About

The Virginia Museum of Natural History facility offers a variety of space for events, meetings and other gatherings.  Whether your needs require a small meeting place or they require the whole Museum facility, the Museum has a package sure to suit your needs.  From the Mr. & Mrs. L. Dudley Walker Lecture Hall to The Harvest Foundation of the Piedmont Great Hall, the Museum offers a unique hosting opportunity that will be hard to match. 

For more information, please call 276-634-4166 or e-mail us at specialevents@vmnh.virginia.gov.

Banquet License Requirements

If alcohol will be served at your event, you will need to apply for a Special Event (One-Day) Banquet License. You can download the printable PDF form, or register and apply for your banquet license online. When scheduling an event less than one month away, please contact the Regional ABC Office at (434) 582-5136 to verify that the required license can be obtained in time for the event.

List of Approved Caterers

To ensure that your special event will be elegant and memorable, all food service at VMNH is professionally catered.  Visit here for our list of approved caterers.

Each room is equipped with state-of-the-art audio/visual equipment.

Mr. & Mrs. L. Dudley Walker Lecture Hall Package

• $350 Friday or  Saturday; $250 Sunday
• $200  Monday through Thursday
• Capacity: 80 People (seated), 100 reception style
• Square Feet: 925

The Harvest Foundation Great Hall Package

• $1,800 for Friday or Saturday;  $1,700 Sunday
• $1,650 Monday through Thursday
• Capacity: 190-250 people
• Square Feet: 3,300  plus the adjoining patio area

The Harvest Foundation Great Hall/Main Museum Package

• $2,300 for Friday or Saturday; $2,200  Sunday
• $2,150 Monday through Thursday
• This package combines The Harvest Foundation Great Hall and access to the main Museum.  The Virginia Museum of Natural History offers an array of natural history exhibits that offer an enjoyable and unique setting for special events.

Mr. and Mrs. L. Dudley Walker Lecture Hall/Main Museum Package

• $650 for Friday or Saturday; $550  Sunday
• $500 Monday through Thursday
• This package combines the Mr. and Mrs. L. Dudley Walker Lecture Hall and access to the main Museum.  The Virginia Museum of Natural History offers an array of natural history exhibits that offer an enjoyable and unique setting for special events.

All Facilities Package

• $3,000 for Friday or Saturday; $2,500 for Sunday
• This package includes The Harvest Foundation Great Hall and the Mr. and Mrs. L. Dudley Walker Hall, and the Museum grounds.

• Prices are based on a 4-hour event with attendance of up to 250 guests
• Evening events must begin after 6:00 pm and end by midnight

• During business hours, auditorium space is available on a limited basis.  Public areas are not available for rent before 5:00 pm.
• The Museum Shop may be opened and staffed for $100
• Additional Security for attendance over 250 people, $25 per hour
• A 5% discount will be offered to VMNH members
• A 10% discount  will be offered to corporate members and “Tiger Swallowtail”  members
• A 20% discount will be offered to state and government agencies
• A 25% discount will be offered to 501(c)3 non-profits (copy must be attached to contract)

• A non-refundable deposit of one half of the total rental charge and signed contract are required to confirm facility rental   Remainder of all rental fees (including rental equipment) is due one month prior to the event.
• A damage deposit of $1,000 is due with the signed contract.  The deposit is held with event paperwork and returned following the event if there has been no damage to the facilities or grounds.
• In the event of cancellation of two months or less from the event date, the entire rental fee paid to date and the damage deposit will be forfeited.

Gallery