Property Use Policies

Property Use Policy

A damage deposit will be due at least 30 days prior to the rental. Please note the Historical Society will do their best to return this to you (allow 30 days for processing after the event) providing all is left in good order. (The Historical Society reserves the right to make this decision). Some of the examples of not having your deposit returned include, but are NOT limited to, extra clean up (beyond the normal), trash left behind (unless cleared with the Property Manager to be removed for a fee), broken furniture, wax or other foreign residue spilled and left on the barn floor, confetti of any kind which is strictly forbidden on the property, parking and/or driving on the lawn which is never allowed, and storage of items without clearance from the Property Manager. It is of utmost importance that renters respect our property and upon exiting, leave it with no damage “to” the Holliston Historical Society or disregard “of” our Property Use Policy. These policies outline the care and respect that must be given to the Holliston Historical Society’s unique and timeless venue.

Your hours of rental depend on the type of event you are holding and include set up and breakdown time. Please, do not plan to revisit the property the next day unless arrangements have been made with the property manager. Make sure the coordinator(s) of your event are aware of our policies and your responsibilities as the renter(s).

If you have rented items such as chairs, tables, or service equipment, please make sure the rental company schedules deliveries and pickups so as not to conflict with other events (same day drop off and pick up are most often necessary). In some instances, you may be asked to move these items to another location on the property if they are not to be picked up the next day.

The maximum capacity of the barn is 100 guests. If you will be adding a tent, the number may be increased to 130.

If you wish to have a tent on the property, check with the rental manager for possible conflicts with other events. Tents are only permitted in the parking area. A permit will be required by the town but some tent rental services will acquire this for you.

You may decorate the barn as you wish. Items can be attached to the walls and beams with push pins or zip ties only –
NO staples, nails or screws! Do not attach items to the walls in the bathroom or back hall walls. It is important to remember ALL decorations must be removed in a relatively short period of time.
For your safety, please DO NOT access the second floor of the barn to decorate. You are more that welcome to add décor to the posts but only by use of a ladder.

ARTIFICIAL FLOWER PETALS OR CONFETTI-LIKE MATERIALS ARE NOT ALLOWED. This policy applies to all of the buildings and grounds.

There is no smoking in either building. Cigarette and cigar waste MUST be disposed of in the proper manner. Leaving tobacco product waste on the grounds, such as in the driveway, lawn and near the fire pit, will result in a loss of damage deposit.

No open flames (candles, lamps, etc.) are allowed in the house or barn. Votive candles and hurricane lamps are permitted, as they are enclosed. Please be sure they are placed in a safe area where they will not be knocked over. While grills and cookers are allowed on the property, open fires or fire pits are not. The Society has an
outside firepit for use. Please ask the Property Manager for information.

Hay is not permitted in the structures for flammability reasons.

Our licensed, insured bartender is required at all functions where beer, wine or liquor is served. The rental manager will give you their contact information. Alcohol brought onto the property for consumption before the bar service has arrived, is NOT permitted.
Alcohol is not permitted at graduation parties without adults attending.

BAR SERVICE AND MUSIC MUST END BY 10 PM FOR RENTALS ENDING AT 11PM.
The renters and their guests must exit the property taking all decorations, food, and trash (unless paying for trash removal) by the end time on their contract. Overages will incur an hourly charge. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter as the barn will need to be cleaned for the next day’s event.

Do not park on grass, block driveways or trespass on areas not specified in your rental agreement. Except for loading and unloading, the circle in front of the house must remain clear, as it is a designated fire lane.

Street parking is permitted on our side of Washington Street only.

Your caterer may load and unload on the driveway between the buildings, but there is no parking there. They may not park or drive on the grass between the buildings, even for loading and unloading. The septic tank and gas lines are located there and could be damaged by excess weight.

Please be extremely careful when having food and beverages in the house where food and beverages are permitted. There are carpets and furniture that could be easily stained and damaged. Please know we take this request very seriously and if not followed, will result in the loss of your security deposit.

Please control your guests. Remember that you are in a residential area and that we have neighbors. Watch the music volume, particularly if it is outside and/or after dark.

We ask that your guests be respectful of our gardens. They are lovely when in bloom. Smell and enjoy their beauty, but please do not walk through them or pick the flowers.

Please leave your pets at home where they will be most comfortable. Pets are not allowed in any of the buildings or on the grounds.

Tables and chairs will be set up for you in the barn when you arrive. If you move any tables and chairs outside or put seating in the wedding garden for the ceremony (this is the renter’s responsibility), these must be returned to the barn or (other storage areas) by the end of your event. The tables and chairs INSIDE the barn do not need to be broken down.

Clean up includes:
• Removing all decorations, food, and trash;
• Making sure there is no food left on counters or in sink area, which is important to deter pests;
• Stacking or moving any RENTAL items for pickup, depending on the following day’s event.

RENTERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REMOVAL OF ALL TRASH (unless you have made other arrangements with the property manager), except recyclables. We do not have a dumpster. It is suggested you bring a suitable vehicle, such as a pickup truck, for removal of trash, as sometimes the bags will leak. We provide trash bags. If you prefer to leave your trash there is a $150.00 fee charged for this service, as we must pay to have it removed.

In short, everything should be left as you found it.

We appreciate you selecting our property and feel confident your time here will be special. Do not hesitate to e-mail any questions or concerns.

Revised 8/29/2024