By Mary Owen
Space at the historic Charles and Martha Brown House is becoming the place to rent for special events.
“For the most part, once the kitchen was complete, which happened last year, we’ve been available for most any event anyone wants to be something special,” said Wendy Stone, president of the Santiam Heritage Foundation.
To date, the Brown House has opened its doors for various group meetings, but occasional special events peppered the schedule, Stone said.
“A local business owner held his Greeters meeting combined with his business’s 40th anniversary celebration in the house,” she said. “Individuals have rented the house for a wedding shower, bridal shower, and a 50th wedding anniversary party. SHF has held Victorian Teas, art shows, concerts, and many open houses, especially during SummerFest.”
“The historic nature and beauty of the house lends a certain ambience to memorable events,” Stone said. “Someplace out of the ordinary can make the event that much more memorable.”
Future events slated at the Brown House include: Cruise In, Patriot’s Day. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sept. 10, free; Victorian Tea and Fashion Show, with light luncheon and pastries, 1 p.m., Oct. 14, $20 advance tickets only (online or phone); Children’s Trick or Treat, 4-6 p.m., Oct. 31, free; and music in the house in November and December, dates to be confirmed.
Currently, cost for renting the Brown House is $40 per hour for the first three hours, including set-up and clean-up time. Facilities available to use include: two large parlor rooms, a dining room, a greeting room, the outside porches and the grounds. Small washroom facilities are available on the first floor. Capacity is up to 50 people, and a limited number of chairs and tables are available. Proof of personal liability insurance is required. An SHF member is on hand at all times during the rental period.
The upstairs is unavailable at this time, Stone said.
“We have recently started a Capital Campaign to engage corporate sponsors to help us complete the second floor and the hospital laundry,” she said. “When complete, the second floor will provide rental space, which we hope will help the house become self-sustaining. We anticipate using the hospital laundry building to educate folks about the years the house served as Stayton’s first hospital.”
More volunteers are needed who are “willing to carry the vision to the finish line,” Stone said.
“We have enjoyed enthusiastic community support over the years, and many local people have served on the SHF board and/or volunteered in countless ways to move the house toward completion,” Stone said. “It’s exciting to see the house so close to achieving the vision of the group who started this voyage, where the house can be the cultural community resource so many have dreamed
it could be.”
Details about renting the Brown House can be found on the SHF website, www.brownhouse.org. For specific rental questions e-mail cmbrownhouse@gmail.com.
