Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How does your pricing work?
A. Our pricing is specific to the venue you’ve selected and services you’d like included, such as any rented linens, tables, chairs, tents, or bar packages. Any rented items must be purchased through Dayton History using our partner business, Prime Time Party Rental, as linens are required on all guest and food tables. In addition, all alcoholic beverages consumed on Dayton History’s premises must be purchased through Dayton History.
Q. How do I find out what my event might cost?
A. The best way to get an estimate is to give our exclusive caterers, Bernstein’s Fine Catering, a call 937-293-2841 ext. 415, or email events@daytonhistory.org. They will gladly walk you through all the services we offer, check the availability of your date, and provide you a price estimate of what you can expect for the services and type of event you have in mind.
Am I allowed to bring in my own food for my event, have someone I know cater it, or have a pot-luck style event?
We are proud to have Bernstein’s Fine Catering as our exclusive catering suppliers.

  • Bernstein’s Fine Catering: With over 28 years of business, Bernstein’s Fine Catering is devoted to consistently providing and enhancing the total catering experience with exceptional food, outstanding service, and superb value. From box lunches to white-glove service, Bernstein’s Fine Catering can provide for all your catering desires and requirements. They also offer specialized menus such as gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan or Kosher requests. They estimate that they handle more than 90 percent of all Dayton-area kosher catering requests — both corporate and social. Bernstein’s shops for ingredients locally as much as possible, and also has a pastry chef on staff to offer wedding cakes and baked goods. They view each event as a unique experience, so every menu and detail is personalized.
    Phone: 937.293.2841 ext. 415
    Email: events@daytonhistory.org
    www.bernsteinscatering.com
Q. Can we do any decorating ourselves?
A. All rented items for the event must be rented by a Dayton History Event Coordinator using Prime Time Party Rental. Because many of Dayton History’s venues are open to the public during normal business hours, there is a limited set-up time available prior to events. Our set typically begins two hours prior to the event. Our team will set the tables, chairs and anything rented by Prime Time Party Rental. Any additional setup is the client/vendor’s responsibility. We typically recommend trusting a florist to manage and set up your decorations, and we’re more than happy to recommend some great vendors to help.
Q. How many people can be seated at your venues?
A. We are creative, flexible, and willing to work with you no matter what size of event you’re planning, so please call to talk through other options if your number doesn’t seem to be ideal for our venues. Below is the recommended capacities for our venues:

  • Eichelberger Pavilion – 500 guests
  • James F. Dicke Family Transportation Center – 120 guests
  • Kettering Family Education Center Atrium – 130 guests
  • Deeds Carillon – vast outdoor space – 150 guests
  • Carillon Event Lawn – vast outdoor space
  • Miller Picnic Pavilion – 40 guests
  • Whitney Picnic Pavilion – 80 guests
  • Patterson Homestead – 80 guests
  • Hawthorn Hill – 50 guests
Q. Can I get married & have my reception at your venue?
A. Absolutely! We have many options for ceremonies as well as receptions. We also have numerous wedding ceremonies on the Town Greene with the reception in the Kettering Family Education Center. In some circumstances where the wedding ceremony takes place in the exact same room as the reception, we typically have the room set for the ceremony as it will be for the reception (guests seated at round tables.) Check our Pinterest page for pictures of wedding ceremonies receptions that have taken place at our venues in the past.
Q. How much time do I receive with my rental?
A. Most of our event rental blocks are for a five hour event. We usually begin setting for the event two hours prior to the event’s start. It is also an option to purchase additional hours to extend your event. For wedding ceremonies, you will receive a one hour rental for your rehearsal the day before and a two hour event block the day of. If you’d like to additional time for photographs or decorations, you are welcome to do so for an additional fee at the time of your booking.
Q. What other services do you offer other than the event venue?
A. In addition to providing all the rented items through the use of Prime Time Party Rental, our Event Coordinators are happy to assist you through the planning process from details such as picking out your linen colors and recommending great vendors for your entertainment. We set up and tear down all of the tables, chairs and linens for our events, and we provide you with a staff “Captain” who will be at your event from start to finish. Dayton History also offers several different bar packages available for you to choose from for your event.