Alice Hardie Stevens Center

The Alice Hardie Stevens Event 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 School for Girls. It is owned and operated by the Laramie Plains Museum and provides much of the revenues needed for Museum operations. Used mainly for wedding and anniversary receptions, classes, special parties and other community events, it may be rented by itself or as part of a package with our other rental facilities.

The Center is a large room with a beautiful wood floor and grand production stage, lovely French doors that open to lush lawns, and a full catering kitchen. There are four public bathrooms and a lovely bridal dressing room with an attached bathroom that is handy for the bride and her attendants to exit for a wedding on the Museum's east lawn (and have her trousseau in a private space at wedding time). The Center is handicap accessible with parking available close to the facility.

The kitchen has two stoves with ovens, 2 microwaves, an industrial-size refrigerator plus a large freezer, 2 sink prep areas, and a compact sanitizer. Some coffee cups, saucers, plates, and other assorted items are stored in the kitchen for incidental use, but check on these items before you plan to use them, as the items are limited in number. 100, 50, and 32-cup coffee urns are available. (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 12, 8' rectangle tables (30" wide); 10, 6' rectangle tables (30" wide); 25 60" round tables which can seat 8 guests each; 8 48" square card tables; 4 high top cocktail tables and 4 smaller cocktail tables; 9 71" round tables which can seat 10 guests each; and 250 Chavari chairs are also included. The lawn north of the Center comes with your rental. We have 250 white metal and plastic folding chairs that may be used outside.

Please be aware that this is a residential area and you will be responsible for keeping the noise to a reasonable level, especially after 10:00 p.m. There are decorating restrictions (i.e. no tape on walls or confetti guns) because of the historic nature of the structure. These are detailed on the AHSC rental contract (available from the Laramie Plains Museum office).

As the Alice Hardie Stevens Event Center is one of the most popular reception halls in Laramie, we suggest getting your date locked in as early as possible!

Please call to inquire about pricing.

East Lawn

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 many other gatherings. 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 manicured lawn surrounded by Victorian gardens and large trees. Buildings on the grounds are not accessible for the party unless you have made arrangements with the Museum staff. 250 white folding chairs and a black iron arch are available for your use. Tables are available for an additional fee. Lawn games such as corn hole or croquet are welcomed!

Reservations

Reservations are made on a first come, first served basis by calling the Laramie Plains Museum or visiting the Carriage House office located to the rear of the Ivinson Mansion property. Rental dates, particularly for summer weekends, around the holidays, or for area graduations, fill up quickly and far in advance. Do not delay once you have decided to use our facilities for your special event.

Photographs In The Mansion

Even if your wedding is not occurring in the Ivinson Mansion, the beautiful Victorian interior may serve to provide a special and unique setting for your photo remembrances. Arrangements must be made with the museum staff so that the Mansion is open for your pictures and so that tours of the museum will not infringe upon your photo session. You and your photographer must be aware of the restrictions and care that must be taken with the historic furnishings and interior.

Refundable Security Deposit

Your deposit serves several purposes: to secure the date, to cover damages that may have occurred during your rental use. If the facility is left in good condition, your deposit will be returned by mail as soon as possible after your event. Since deposits have been set at very fair rates, renters agree to be responsible for any damages occurring to the historic buildings, grounds, or artifacts that exceed the deposit. If circumstances arise that cause you to not use the facility after a deposit has been made, it will be refunded by mail if at least 10 days notice has been given. Last minute cancellations mean that the non-profit museum has lost out on other rental revenue while holding the facility for you. Any withheld deposit may be deemed as reasonable compensation for such loss.