Meetings and Retreats
Widener Welcome Center
Step into a piece of history at the Widener Welcome Center, an elegant stone building dating back to 1888, once home to the estate’s gardener’s cottage, carriage house, and stables. Today, this charming and character-filled space offers a unique setting for meetings, gatherings, and daytime events.
Our venue features a variety of rooms and flexible layouts, allowing you to create an experience that feels both personal and memorable. Whether you're planning an intimate meeting or a larger gathering, the historic ambiance provides a distinctive backdrop your guests won’t forget.
To complement your event, choose from our curated list of approved caterers, offering diverse cuisine options to suit a range of tastes and budgets.
Bookings are available up to six months in advance. Dates fill quickly. Early planning is encouraged to secure your preferred time.
Meetings & Retreat
Host your next meeting or team retreat in a setting designed to inspire focus, creativity, and connection.
The Widener Welcome Center offers a range of flexible indoor and outdoor spaces suited for everything from small strategy sessions to full-scale off-site gatherings. For more intimate meetings, the McLean Room provides a comfortable conference setting for up to 12 guests, while our Classroom accommodates up to 20—ideal for workshops, trainings, or collaborative sessions, with booking options starting at just two hours.
For larger groups, the Upper Gallery welcomes up to 50-75 attendees (depending on set-up) in a unique indoor space equipped with A/V capabilities. The adjacent McLean Room may also be used for catering or breakout needs, allowing your event to flow seamlessly.
Interested in a little more fresh air? Our reception tent offers a refreshing open-air environment with flexible layouts and access to power for your own A/V setup. This space accommodates groups of up to 150 guests, making it perfect for team-building sessions or larger gatherings.
All spaces include tables and chairs arranged to suit your needs—whether boardroom, classroom, lecture, or dining style—and are supported by our approved catering partners, who provide linens and a variety of menu options.
Beyond the meeting itself, your guests are invited to explore our breathtaking 92-acre gardens, offering a natural setting for informal breaks, team bonding, or simply a moment to recharge and reset throughout the day.
Guided tours may be scheduled in tandem with your rental through the Education Department. Contact tours@morrisarboretum.org for tour information and booking.
Room Descriptions
McLean Room
The McLean Room offers an intimate, character-rich setting ideal for small meetings and focused discussions. Accommodating up to 12 guests in a boardroom-style layout, this cozy conference space blends functionality with historic charm.
Original architectural details, including stable-style windows and exposed wood beams, create a warm, distinctive atmosphere.
While best suited for light catering such as coffee service or boxed lunches, the McLean Room connects directly to the Upper Gallery through double doors and is often used in tandem as a convenient breakout or catering space.
Adding to its unique character, the room features a striking Morris family tree display—offering a subtle but memorable connection to the site’s rich history.
Size: 17’ x 18’
Capacity: 12
Classroom
Located on the lower level of the Widener Welcome Center, the Classroom offers a comfortable and inviting setting for workshops, trainings, and small group sessions. The space accommodates up to 20 guests in a classroom-style layout, making it ideal for collaborative and hands-on gatherings.
A large TV monitor supports presentations, with room for catering tables allowing for convenient in-room refreshments.
Rich in character, the Classroom features tile flooring, stucco walls, exposed wood beams, and French doors—creating a warm, rustic ambiance that feels both relaxed and inspiring.
Size: 23’ x 19’
Capacity: 20
Upper Gallery
Located on the main floor of the Widener Welcome Center, the Upper Gallery is a versatile and welcoming space designed to accommodate a wide range of meetings and retreats. With flexible layouts for up to 50 or 75 guests - including classroom, boardroom, lecture, and banquet styles - it easily adapts to your event’s needs.
Soft carpeting and dimmable lighting create a comfortable, professional atmosphere, while walls lined with nature-inspired exhibits add a unique and engaging backdrop for your gathering.
The space is fully equipped with a projector, screen, and podium with microphone, making it presentation-ready from the start. Original barn doors can be drawn to create separation from the Morris gift shop, offering both privacy and a touch of historic character.
Ideal for everything from presentations to collaborative sessions, the Upper Gallery combines functionality with a setting your guests will remember.
Size: 40’x 23’
Capacity: 50 seated at tables; 75 audience style
Widener Tent
Available for daytime events from April through October, the Widener Tent offers a scenic open-air setting ideal for meetings, retreats, and larger gatherings.
Perched on a hillside just behind the Widener Visitor Center, the tent overlooks a beautiful landscape of mature trees and thoughtfully curated plantings, creating a natural, serene backdrop for your event. The space is conveniently located near indoor amenities while remaining screened for a sense of privacy.
Designed with flexibility in mind, the tent can be configured for a range of group sizes and may be divided to accommodate smaller, more intimate gatherings or breakout areas within a larger event.
The Widener Tent combines the ease of an outdoor venue with the versatility to shape the space around your event’s needs.
Size: 70’x 30’
Capacity: up to 150
Daytime Event Rates
Size: 17’ x 18’
Capacity: 12
Rate: $160/hour
Daytime hourly rate between 10 AM and 4 PM; subject to availability (2-hour minimum).
Daytime parties can only be booked up to 6 months prior to event date (subject to availability).
Size: 23’ x 19’
Capacity: 20
Rate: $260/hour
Daytime hourly rate between 10 AM and 4 PM; subject to availability (2-hour minimum).
Daytime parties can only be booked up to 6 months prior to event date (subject to availability).
Size: 40’x 23’
Capacity: 75 audience style; 50 round tables
Rate: $600/hour
Daytime hourly rate between 10 AM and 4 PM; subject to availability (2-hour minimum).
Daytime parties can only be booked up to 6 months prior to event date (subject to availability).
Size: 70’ x 30’
Capacity: 0–50
Rate: $600/hour
Capacity: 51–100
Rate: $1,100/hour
Capacity: 101–150
Rate: $1,500/hour
Daytime hourly rate between 10 AM and 4 PM; subject to availability (2-hour minimum).
Daytime parties can only be booked up to 6 months prior to event date (subject to availability).
