2614 Thorngrove Pike

Knoxville, Tennessee 37914

(865) 546-0745 ● Fax (865) 546-1851 ●www.ramseyhouse.org


RENTAL POLICY & CONTRACT

WEDDINGS


Ramsey House Plantation, an historic house museum, was built in 1797 as the home of Colonel Francis Alexander Ramsey (1764 – 1820). Through the efforts of the Association for the Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities, Knoxville Chapter, Ramsey House and the surrounding land of more than 100 acres has been preserved for the enjoyment of the public. Ramsey House Plantation’s Visitor Center and meadows are available for special event rentals. We regret that no rental events are permitted inside the historic house due to preservation concerns.


Thank you! We are delighted you are considering Ramsey House Plantation as the site for your event. Below are our rental rates and policies for various types of functions. Please consult one of our staff members should you have any questions or need additional information.


FEES FOR WEDDINGS


WHAT SERVICES / FACILITIES

ARE INCLUDED IN YOUR FEES?


In order to secure your date, 50% of the total rental fee is due when your contract is signed. Please note that your deposit is non-refundable.


Payment can be made by credit/debit card, check or cash.


The remaining balance is due 2 weeks prior to event date. Payment arrangements can be made with the Ramsey House staff, if desired. Set-up will occur only after full payment has been received.


Please note: As security against property damage during your event, Ramsey House must have an active credit card on file even if the deposit is paid in cash.


In order to avoid overlap, please inform the Ramsey House staff of your chosen rehearsal date and time at least two weeks in advance to eliminate the possibility of scheduling conflicts.


TOURS OF THE HISTORIC HOME DURING YOUR SPECIAL EVENT


Because guests at the historic site frequently wish to enjoy and learn about the interior of the Ramsey mansion and life as it was lived on a successful, self-supporting plantation during the late 1700’s, guided tours are available during your event conducted by trained Ramsey House docents. Please call the Ramsey House office at least a week in advance of your event so we can coordinate staffing needs with your schedule.

Please call: 865-546-0745.


As a courtesy, guided tour rates are reduced for special event guests to $5

per person. Should you wish to provide this service for your guests, tour charges will be figured per person and determined after your RSVP’s have been received. This fee may be charged to the credit card on file or you may pay by cash or check, whichever is most convenient. Please contact Ramsey House staff at least a week prior to your event in order to ensure proper staffing during your event.


Please note that no food or drink of any kind may be taken into the mansion during tours because of preservation concerns. Additionally, please note that no photographs may be taken inside the mansion. This policy is in place at most historic sites because of the tendency of flash cameras to fade fragile interior textiles. Thank you for your consideration.


OVER-TIME FEES, IF NEEDED

1-2 hours over time: $ 200.00

2-4 hours over time: $ 400.00


Please note that any additional fees will be charged to the credit card on file.


SECURITY / CLEANING DEPOSIT


A non-fundable Security/Cleaning Deposit of $175 is due two weeks prior to your event.


RAMSEY HOUSE MEMBER RATES


Currently, individuals who become members of Ramsey House at the Contributing Level and above receive 10% off the rental of the Ramsey House facility and grounds.


CATERING/FOOD SERVICE


Ramsey House welcomes all catering services and does not contract with any one vendor.


Caterers must provide a CERTIFICATE OF LIABILITY INSURANCE naming Ramsey House Plantation as an Additional Insured for $500,000.00 for each occurrence. Certificate is required at least two weeks prior to event. No set up shall occur until Certificate is received.


FOOD SERVICE


You must provide your own kitchen equipment (other than basic kitchen appliances), and all set-up and clean-up. The Visitor Center kitchen includes an electric range, oven, refrigerator, and microwave.


You or your designated clean up crew are responsible to:



You are responsible for removing all food and service equipment and supplies immediately following the event, unless other arrangements are made prior to the event.


Please call a week prior to your event to notify Ramsey House staff of your delivery schedules for catering, tenting, chairs, tables, dish services, etc.: 865-54-0745


TRASH


All trash generated by your event must be removed from the site.


ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES


Alcohol may be served to adults twenty-one years of age or older by a licensed bartender.


Anyone serving any form of alcohol must carry an ABC card at all times.


DECORATION


You are invited to bring you own decorations, however, please note that no nails, staples or permanent adhesive tape may be used to attach anything to the buildings or furnishings. Thank you for your consideration.


The Ramsey House Plantation’s Visitors’ Center serves as the primary reception and orientation area for the museum as well as retail shop. The furnishings and displays pertinent to these purposes may be moved in consultation with the Ramsey House staff.


All decoration must be done in a manner that does not interfere with our primary purpose of preserving Ramsey House and operating it as a museum for the public.


CURFEW


For all rental events, there is a 10:00 PM. Curfew unless other arrangements are made at the time of signing the contract. Guests must be ready to depart by 10:00 PM, so plans should be made to assign clean up at an earlier hour in order to accommodate the closing of the grounds for security purposes.


SMOKING


Smoking is not permitted in any of the Ramsey House buildings. Smoking is allowed outside but must be 30 feet away from any buildings.


Butts must be disposed of in proper containers to avoid any possibility of fire. There should be no cigarette butts left on the grounds after your event.




CONDUCT


All activities related to your event should be carried out in a non-offensive and law-abiding manner. Ramsey House staff has full authority to make such determinations.

DAMAGES


Any damages to the premises, furnishings, equipment, and grounds are the responsibility of the person who signs the contract as determined by Ramsey House staff. Please take care to ensure that the grounds are left as they were when initially rented in order to receive your Security / Cleaning deposit refund (see above).


EQUIPMENT RENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES


Knoxville Chapter A.P.T.A., including the staff of Ramsey House Plantation, is not responsible for the protection or storage of items brought to the grounds for an event.


We require proof of insurance on all rental items brought to the site. This can be arranged with your rental firm or through your personal or business insurance agent.


Ramsey House makes no payment to suppliers on behalf of persons renting the property.


All furniture, glassware and any other rented items for the event must be removed by the opening of the next business day, unless otherwise arranged. Please advise your delivery service providers of this requirement so that the grounds will be in pristine condition for guests the next day. We appreciate your consideration.


You are welcome to use the Ramsey House banquet tables and folding chairs at no additional charge but must return them in a clean and undamaged condition.


Because Ramsey House operates with a very small staff, we are not able to set up tables and chairs for outdoor events. Please make arrangements with others for this assistance. Depending on staffing, we may be able to accommodate your set up inside, but please call at least one week ahead to make these arrangements with staff. 865-546-0745.


SET UP AND TAKE DOWN


Please indicate the delivery dates and contact names of your service providers on your contract so that Ramsey House staff can coordinate your event with other activities at the site, as necessary.

CLEANUP


Your event rental fee covers free parking for all your guests. It is your responsibility to ascertain that your caterer, florist, or any outside vendors hired for your event clean up properly, leaving the facility in the same condition as it was found.


An EVENT CHECKLIST will be provided to assist in the cleanup. All items on the checklist must be completed to our satisfaction before the refundable portion of the security/cleaning deposit is returned.


PARKING


Your event rental fee covers free parking for all your guests. All parking must be confined to the Ramsey House Plantation grounds at locations designated by the Ramsey House staff. Please inquire of Ramsey House staff for the best parking suggestions for your guests, use of Ramsey House parking cones and signs, if available.


PHOTOGRAPHY


Ramsey House welcomes all photographers. We invite photographers to consider becoming members of Ramsey House at the Individual membership level or above to help us continue to make the grounds available for public enjoyment and photography sessions.


Outdoor photographs are fully permitted anywhere on the grounds, including the exterior of the mansion.


No interior photography or filming is allowed in the historic house due to conservation issues.


Please send us your favorite photos and we will be happy to showcase your event on our website. You will be asked to sign a Photo Release Form for this purpose at the time of contract signing.


Thank you for choosing Historic Ramsey House Plantation for your event. We look forward to helping you make it a memorable occasion for all of your guests!



Sincerely,


Historic Ramsey House Staff

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Last updated: 07.15.11