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Belair Mansion, circa 1745 THE CITY OF BOWIE, MARYLAND RENTAL RATES FOR THE BELAIR MANSION
For information or a complete rental rules package, call the Office of the City of Bowie Museums: Telelphone: 301-575-2488 The Belair Mansion The central block of Belair was built about 1745 on a plantation purchased jointly by two of Maryland's colonial governors, Samuel Ogle and Benjamin Tasker, Sr. The house became the home of Governor Ogle and his wife, Anne Tasker Ogle. Inherited by their son, Benjamin Ogle, later State Governor, the Mansion was owned by the Ogle family until 1871. It was purchased in 1898 by James T. Woodward who built the west hyphen and wing prior to his death in 1910. The east hyphen and wing were built by his nephew, William Woodward, Sr. before 1914. The last private owner was William Woodward, Jr. who died in 1955. Purchased by the City of Bowie from the developer William Levitt & Sons for one dollar in 1964, Belair Mansion served as City Hall until 1978. Since then, through financial contributions and grants provided by the State of Maryland, City of Bowie and the Friends of Belair Estate, the Belair Mansion has been carefully restored to the splendor it once had. Today, it serves as a museum for all to enjoy. Belair Mansion was listed on the National Register for Historic Places in 1977. The Mansion is open for tours Wednesdays through Sundays from noon to 4 pm.We ask that you schedule all meetings to view the facility or to meet with caterers by phoning the office first at 301-575-2488. There are some 34 rooms in the Belair Mansion, so a great number are not available and are off limits. All rooms available for rentals are indicated on the the floor plans with a name for the room. A parking lot level handicap entrance near the museum shop gives access to both the elevator and a restroom that can accommodate wheelchairs. Please note: Only the sunroom is available for food service, and it and the parlor are the only areas available for food and drink consumption. Other first floor rooms are ceremonial in use only.
First Floor
Second Floor The Belair Mansion Rental Instructions 1. Please read carefully the attached "Rental
Rates and Hours of Operation," "Rules and Regulations," and "List
of Renter's Responsibilities" in regard to the use of the Belair Mansion. BELAIR MANSION RENTAL RATES AND HOURS OF OPERATION POLICY Rental Fees: Cover the entire function from initial set up through final clean-up. Additional use of Belair, such as a wedding rehearsal the day preceding the wedding, will be scheduled and billed as an additional rental function. There are no special fee considerations for any groups or individuals. 1. Weekday Rentals, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 2. Weeknight Rentals, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. 3. Weekend Rentals (Friday Evening through Sunday
Evening) Security Deposit: For all rentals, a refundable security deposit of $500.00 is required 30 days in advance. Payment Schedule: A deposit equal to one-third (1/3) of the rental fee is due upon making a reservation. The remaining two-thirds (2/3) of the rental fee plus the security deposit of $500.00 is due 30 calendar days prior to the date of the function. A signed agreement must accompany initial deposit. If a signed agreement is not received, the reservation date will be cancelled. Security deposits shall be applied toward any damages that occur, extended use, and set-up or departure overtime. If all rules and regulations have been observed, no damage has occurred and the renter has not exceeded the scheduled rental time during the use of the Mansion, the security deposit will be returned within 10 business days. Cancellations: Cancellations must be received in writing. The rental deposit, less a $50.00 administrative fee, will be returned if cancellation notice occurs in at least 30 calendar days for weekday and 90 calendar days for weekend functions. If cancellation occurs beyond the allowed period, the entire deposit will be forfeited. Method of payment: Personal checks will be accepted
for the rental deposit/payment up to fourteen (14) days of rental. If a check
is found to have insufficient funds, a $25.00 fee will be assessed and the reservation
date will be cancelled. The remaining two-thirds (2/3) of the rental fee, security
deposit must be made in the form of either check, money order or cashier's check
only. Any payment received less than fourteen (14) days prior to rental must
be by certified check or money order. Payment in the form of cash or credit
cards is not acceptable. Listed below are rules by which renters and caterers
must abide. Compliance with these rules will be reviewed by City staff after
the function in order to determine if a penalty or total forfeiture of the security
deposit is warranted. The renter is ultimately responsible for all of the following
by the close of the function (no later than 11 p.m.). The renter/caterer is required to leave the building and grounds in the same condition as found. All function chairs and tables must be put away clean by the renter or caterer at the end of the function. The renter or caterer must provide his/her own trash bag liners and cleaning supplies. Do not dump grease or food into sink. Please bring a grease container to dispose in trash. Remove all food containers from the refrigerator, microwave ovens and table tops. The City staff, its agents or employees will not be held responsible for anything left behind. Thoroughly wipe down counter tops, sink, and inside and outside of refrigerator and microwave ovens. Sweep and damp mop the pantry floor. Vacuum debris on all other floors in rooms used. All trash must be secured in plastic bags, tied
properly, and be placed inside the trash can enclosure. Additionally, if requested, the Mansion can provide The renter must provide the following: 1. The Mansion will be opened at your scheduled time. All caterer delivery (including equipment), decorating, set-up, and caterer clean-up, etc., will be done within the scheduled rental period. The bar must close and all music, entertainment, etc., must cease playing, if applicable, one-half hour prior to the end of your scheduled time. The renter will be charged for additional rental hour(s) if anyone (including catering staff and/or equipment) remains on the premises past the scheduled time. A City staff member (event monitor) will be present for the duration of the rental period. 2. No more than 75 guests are permitted in the mansion or on its grounds. The number of participants will be monitored by City Staff. The presence of more than the permitted number of guests will result in the loss of a portion, or all, of the security deposit. 3. Only a licensed caterer who can provide a certificate of insurance and a Health Department inspection number is permitted to cater events at the Belair Mansion. No other food service arrangements are permitted. Please consult staff for a listing of caterers with previous work history at Belair. If you are selecting a caterer not on the list, or who has not worked here previously, that caterer must schedule a meeting at Belair to review procedures and the facility. 4. Food service is restricted to the pantry and the sun room. Food and drink consumption is restricted to the sun room and parlor. No food may be set up or served in any other location. 5. Renters and/or his/her agents are required to leave the building and grounds in the condition as found. Please give the attached "List of Renter's & Caterer's Responsibilities" to your designated caterer. Failure to comply with these requirements will result in the forfeiture of all or part of your security deposit. 6. A $50.00/hr cleaning charge, or total billable amount of anything requiring professional attention will be assessed if the mansion is not returned to a clean state. Absolutely no rice, glitter, or confetti is to be thrown anywhere. Birdseed may be thrown outside in the driveway area. Birdseed may not be kept in, or dispensed from, open containers inside the mansion. 7. The use of red wine is strictly prohibited, and we request no red, brown, saucy or staining foods and drink. 8. Dancing is limited to the tile floor of the west wing or outside, beneath a tent, if a tent is used. An outside portable floor must be provided by the renter. Carpets in the mansion may not be taken up, nor can furniture be moved. 9. All plans for the use of tents or portable flooring must be approved by City staff prior to the event. Any planned outside activities must be reviewed and approved by City staff 2 weeks prior to any event. 10. All deliveries must be made on the day of the event during your scheduled time. The Mansion does not have storage areas for rental equipment, supplies, or food stuffs. The City staff, its agents, and employees are not responsible for setting-up or clearing away of rental equipment. ALL rental equipment must be removed by the end of the paid rental period. Equipment may not be left overnight. 11. No loud amplified music is permitted. All functions
at the Mansion must not exceed the maximum allowable sound levels for residential
areas as established by the City of Bowie's Noise Control Ordinance. The maximum
allowable sound levels as measured from adjoining property lines are: daytime,
7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.: 60 decibels; and at nighttime, 10:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m.:
50 decibels. All plans for music must be approved by City staff prior to the
event. City staff will be taking sound level measurements periodically during
your scheduled event to insure that you and your guests adhere to the guidelines
stipulated above. 13. Kegged beer is prohibited in the Mansion or on the Mansion grounds. 14. Smoking is prohibited inside the Mansion and within 30 feet of the Mansion. A designated smoking area will be provided outside as evidenced by the urns with sand for discarded cigarette butts. 15. All open flames (including but not limited to candles) are prohibited on the property and inside the Mansion except for the use of sterno for food preparation by the caterer. 16. All arrangements for setup and decorations
must be approved by Museum staff . Only floral table decorations are allowed
inside the Mansion. No tape, tacks, glue, screws or nails can be used when decorating.
Decorations may not be hung from the chandeliers or sconces. All decorations
must be removed at close of event. NO FURNITURE may be used for serving or flowers. 18. Catering staff may only unload supplies at top of circle drive. Parking is strictly prohibited on the circle drive. This area is for the discharge and pick up of passengers only. Additional parking is available on grass lot on northwest side of front yard. 19. The City, its agents, and its employees are not responsible for items left at the Mansion. 20. Commercial and rental trucks, or any other vehicles are prohibited from parking or driving on the Mansion lawn. 21. Grills may be used by a caterer outside on
the south lawn but must be at least 50 feet from the Mansion. A container must
be used to catch the drippings so that the grass will not be damaged. Fire extinguishers
are required and are the responsibility of the . 22. The use of generators for additional electrical power is prohibited on the Mansion grounds. 23. Animals (except for those used by the visually or hearing impaired) are prohibited inside the Mansion or on its grounds. Special exceptions will be considered (such as the use of a horse drawn carriage) but must be approved by City staff prior to the event. Renter and/or his/her agent(s) will be responsible for the care and clean-up of said animal(s) when permitted for use as part of the rental agreement. 24. Renter may not remove or relocate any furnishings. The City of Bowie Museums reserve the right to relocate or remove furnishings or artwork and to place/replace exhibits within rooms. 25. Tolerances for all electrical outlets and fixtures must be strictly observed at all times. 26. A false fire alarm knowingly caused by any renter, his/her guests and/or invitees, caterer or other subcontractor will automatically result in a forfeiture of 20% of the security deposit. 27. A telephone will be provided for guests in an emergency. Please see the event monitor. 28. The City of Bowie requires that fund raisers, defined as functions conducted for the explicit purpose of raising money to generate a profit, shall be limited to Local Nonprofit (chartered) groups, the majority of whose profits return to the community through programs which benefit the City or its citizens. 29. Items or issues listed in 1 through 28 that require special approval by City staff must be submitted in writing and approved of by staff 30 calendar days prior to a function. 30. The City shall not be held liable to renter for any disruption of utilities including, but not limited to, heat, air conditioning, electricity, caused by an act of nature or otherwise. 31. The renter understands that any violation of the Rules and Regulations may result in the immediate termination of the rental agreement and result in the expulsion of the renter, his/her guests or invitees from the Mansion premises. 32. In requesting the use of the Belair Mansion, you or your organization agree to assume full financial liability and responsibility for any and all damage to the Mansion, its contents, and grounds while in permitted use by you/your organization or invitees and all additional costs incurred by the City of Bowie resulting from failure on the part of you/your organization or invitees to comply with the regulations governing permitted use. Further, renter agrees to hold the City of Bowie, its agents, and employees harmless from and against any and all claims, and causes of action brought against it for damages relating to Renter's and/or his/her invitees' use of the Belair Mansion and its grounds.have read and fully understand the rules and regulations concerning rental of the Belair Mansion and agree to abide by them. |
 Bowie City Hall |
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