Historic Edwards Place

Raw space venue

The venue will provide just the space. You’ll bring in your own caterer and vendors.

Packages

Prices start at $300

Guest capacity

Up to 75 seated guests

About this venue

Edwards Place, built in 1833, was a social center of antebellum Springfield. In its gracious parlors Abraham Lincoln, Stephen Douglas, Ulysses S. Grant, and other Illinois luminaries gathered at elegant parties and balls. You, too, can have your special day in the same rooms where Abraham and Mary Lincoln were guests more than 150 years ago, now meticulously restored to the grandeur of their antebellum days. Edwards Place is available to rent for showers, weddings, and receptions – the perfect choice for a distinctive event in a historically significant setting. You can even include extra services for your event, such as the use of a piano often heard by Abraham Lincoln (and possibly played at his wedding!). Our rental space has three areas of possibility - the historic house museum, the grounds in front of Edwards Place, and the M.G. Nelson Gallery, a part of our parent organization, the Springfield Art Association, and directly attached by a doorway to historic Edwards Place.

Seated guest capacity

Venue type

Historic Estates, Mansions
Museums, Galleries

Venue setting

Indoor
Outdoor

700 N 4th St, Springfield, IL 62702

Our event spaces

Edwards Place historic house museum
M. G. Nelson Gallery
Edwards Place Lawn

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Edwards Place historic house museum

Intimacy and elegance for your wedding in a historic setting.

Edwards Place offers intimacy and elegance for your wedding. Built in 1833, this historic house played host to Abraham Lincoln, Stephen A. Douglas, and other notable Springfield names through lavish dinner parties and balls. The rooms in this home are restored to their former grandeur, and are a perfect backdrop for a distinctive event. Edwards Place can accommodate 60 for a seated dinner or ceremony or 120 for a cocktail reception.

Guest capacity

Up to 75 Seated

Up to 120 Standing

Ideal for

Wedding ceremony, Elopement, Wedding reception, Rehearsal dinner, Wedding shower, Engagement party, Welcome party, Farewell brunch, Couples luncheon, Other, Cocktail hour

Guests often feel this space is

“Warm and cozy”

Historic Edwards Place packages

Edwards Place House Rental

75 guests

Peak pricing $500-700

Off-peak pricing $500-700

Description

This package includes the direct rental of the historic house space. The wedding area covers the east end of the first floor of Edwards Place - three rooms. The bridal areas include the west end of the first floor of Edwards Place and some second floor bedrooms of Edwards Place. Edwards Place Direct Rental - $600 Edwards Place Direct Rental for Members - $500 [Membership - $55+ (level dependent)] Use of historic "Lincoln Piano" - $100

What’s included

Use of chairs
Staff member attendant
Cost of utilities
Trash receptacles
On-site parking (lots and street)
Use of kitchen
Use of tables, limited table coverings available
Set up and take down

Edwards Place Lawn Rental

200 guests

Peak pricing $300

Off-peak pricing $300

Description

This package includes the rental of the lawn space only. Edwards Place lawn overlooks the Italianate mansion, and is a beautiful setting for a open-air wedding. *Capacity is 200, possibly more, but on-site tables and chairs can only seat up to 75. Any need for seating/tables beyond that are the responsibility of the couple.

What’s included

Staff attendant
Set up and take down of on-site tables/chairs
Use of up to 75 chairs
Use of tables for up to 75 people
Use of shade tents (up to 4)
Parking (lots and on-site)
Use of trash receptacles
Use of indoor restroom

M. G. Nelson Gallery Rental

75 guests

Peak pricing $300-425

Off-peak pricing $300-425

Description

This rental includes the direct rental of the M. G. Nelson Gallery Space of the Springfield Art Association, the parent organization of historic Edwards Place. Rental of Gallery - $375 Rental of Gallery for Members - $300 [Membership - $55+] Rental of projector equipment - $50

What’s included

Staff attendant
Use of chairs
Use of tables
Use of screen for A/V equipment
Cost of utilities
Use of trash receptacles
Parking (lots and street)

Edwards Place + Lawn Rental

75 guests

Peak pricing $800-1,000

Off-peak pricing $800-1,000

Description

This includes rental of both the historic house museum and the front lawn. See individual packages for details. *$100 of top range is for the $100 rental of the "Lincoln Piano"

What’s included

Use of tables, limited tablecloths
Use of chairs
Staff attendant
Cost of utilities
Use of indoor bathroom
Use of trash receptacles
Parking (lots and street)
Use of kitchen

Available services that can be provided by Historic Edwards Place

Services & amenities

Clean up
Dressing room / Bridal Suite
Event staff
Set up
Wheelchair accessible
Wifi

Transportation & access

Self parking - free
Wheelchair accessible

Reviews

Write a review

5.0 out of 5

1 review

Write a review

Charming Historic Site with Wonderful Staff!
•Verified review
•David and R.•2 years ago
The Edwards Place is a beautiful site! The staff were very helpful and flexible allowing us to visit the site multiple times, they were open regarding their seating arrangement, and due to the nature of the site it is fully decorated. The site was beautiful and the wedding was as well! The historic charm of the home added to the romantic feel of the day. I would recommend this site to anyone looking to get married as it is wonderful all around!

We do not have catering services at our venue. You can make a contract with caterer or self-cater. If you use a caterer, they must meet all city, county, and state requirements and provide proof of $1,000,000 general liability insurance. Caterers must have a valid liquor license and liquor liability insurance. For self-catering, you must provide proof of $1,000,000 general liability insurance.

Edwards Place is a historic house museum, so there are certain policies in place to protect our history - no cooking is permitted in the kitchen, certain beverages are prohibited, and certain foods are prohibited in standing events like cocktail parties. These items are not allowed: glitter, candles, some plants, tape/staples/etc. House furniture and artifacts may not be used.

We follow all city, county, state, and federal government health advisories and mandates. You may choose to require more for your event, like vaccinations, masks, etc., but cannot require less than the mandates dictate.

We ask you to submit your request at least a month in advance. We cannot officially hold the rental date until the non-refundable deposit of $100 is made and the agreement signed. This deposit goes toward your event total.

Your reservation includes four hours from start to finish, including the time it takes for set up and clean up. Any additional time will be billed at $100 per hour. Staff set up of tables and chairs is outside this rental time. Any additional set up (decorations, etc.) is the responsibility of the client.

Cancellation of the event will result in a forfeiture of any deposit, unless the event will be rescheduled promptly or the cancellation is due to the SAA.

You only need to provide insurance yourself if you are self-catering your wedding or bringing your own alcohol. Our insurance covers the general event and caterers maintain their own insurance and licenses.

You can self-cater your own alcohol. We require proof of $1,000,000 general liability insurance be obtained.

Yes, we have a large free parking lot and free street parking.

All of our spaces are accessible. The second floor of Edwards Place is not accessible, but there is space for both the ceremony/reception and bridal suite on the accessible first floor.

Our peak season is from May-October.

Our off-peak season is from November to April.

Want them for your wedding?

Historic Edwards Place

Raw space venue

Packages

Guest capacity

About this venue

Seated guest capacity

Venue type

Venue setting

Our event spaces

Edwards Place historic house museum

Guest capacity

Ideal for

Guests often feel this space is

M. G. Nelson Gallery

Guest capacity

Square footage

Ideal for

Guests often feel this space is

Edwards Place Lawn

Guest capacity

Ideal for

Guests often feel this space is

Historic Edwards Place packages

Edwards Place House Rental

Edwards Place Lawn Rental

M. G. Nelson Gallery Rental

Edwards Place + Lawn Rental

Available services that can be provided by Historic Edwards Place

Services & amenities

Transportation & access

Reviews

Charming Historic Site with Wonderful Staff!

Frequently asked questions

Do you provide catering services?

What are your policies for the Edwards Place space?

What are your COVID-19 policies?

What is your reservation process?

How many hours are included in our booking?

What’s your cancellation policy?

Do we need to get insurance?

Can we bring our own alcohol?

Do you have on-site parking?

Do you have accessible facilities?

What is your peak season?

What is your off-peak season?

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