POLICIES

Reservations
The Governor Thomas Bennett House, piazza and adjacent gardens are available for corporate events, private parties and receptions. The house can be rented during the day, evenings, and weekends.  To book a reservation in advance, call 843-789-1780 during regular business hours for a rental quote.  A tour of the facility may be arranged by appointment.

Rental Areas
The areas included in the rental fee include the main floor of the Governor Thomas Bennett House, the piazza, the portico, and the garden areas adjacent to the mansion.  The main floor of the house consists of the dining room, parlor, library, and the foyer. Please inquire with the coordinator regarding the use of additional spaces and rooms on other floors of the house.  A layout, including all dimensions of the main floor and gardens is provided for planning purposes.

The rental fee covers only the rental of specified space. The client is required to provide all other services for the event including: a professional licensed caterer, flowers, music, bartending services, equipment, linens, and tableware rentals.

Occupancy
For functions that will be held indoors, group size is limited to 150 guests for hor d’oeuvres/stand-up buffet, and 75 guests for seated dinners. The gardens can accommodate 200 – 225 guests.   A tent can be set up in the grounds adjacent to the gardens.  Please refer to the floor plan for exact dimensions of the rooms and the layout of the house and gardens.

Cancellations
Cancellations are required to be received in writing or by fax.  A refund will be given to the client if the cancellation is made 90 days prior to the event. An acknowledgement letter of the cancellation will be sent to the client. Any cancellations after 90 days of the facilities will be forfeited.

Special Policies
The Governor Thomas Bennett House is of great historic significance and it is requested that everyone assist in safe guarding the facility and the contents in order to preserve its immense value.  It is a non-smoking facility and no smoking will be allowed in the house, in the gardens or on the grounds. 

Animals are not permitted in the Governor Thomas Bennett House or on any of the grounds surrounding the house or on any of the property owned or leased by Roper St. Francis Healthcare. Service animals may be permitted, provided the House Coordinator is aware that a service animal is needed on the premises during an event. 

Nothing is to be put in the fountain and any damage resulting from a violation of that policy will be renter's sole cost.

Furniture
The house contains many valuable antiques and other furnishings. Protective glass tops and table pads may not be removed. Flower vases, food and drinks may not be placed in the un-protective surfaces. No thumbtacks, nails or tape may be affixed to any part of the property. Exposed lit candles may not be used because of fire hazard. Votives and candles in hurricane lamps are permitted. In cooler months, gas log fires in the fireplace are available by special request.

The House Coordinator, prior to the event, must approve any relocation of furniture. Furniture moving is the responsibility of the client.  The client must return all furniture that is moved to the original location immediately after the event.

Cleaning
Cleaning the house after the event is the responsibility of the client. If their caterer is to perform these duties for the client after the event, it is the responsibility of the client to make these arrangements with the caterer.  A cleaning fee will be enforced upon those who fail to comply with this rule.

Damage/Clean-up Deposit
A damage/clean-up deposit is required when the contract for the rental is signed. The house coordinator will do a walk though to determine that there has been a proper cleaning of the rental areas and that it is left in the proper condition after the event. The deposit will be refunded within three weeks after the event if there is no damage or extra cleaning necessary. Client agrees to compensate the Governor Thomas Bennett House for any damage to property.  Copies of invoices for repairs/replacements, deemed necessary by the owner, would serve as basis for assessing damage compensation.

Catering Services
The client may select the caterer of their choice.  A preferred caterer list is provided for your convenience. The Bennett House has a spacious full sized kitchen with a range, two ovens, a large capacity refrigerator, microwave and double sinks. The caterer is responsible for the clean up after the event and will need to ensure that the areas are cleaned thoroughly and the furniture left in the position found prior to the function.

Bartender Service
The caterer or client may arrange for bartending services for events.  The bar tables can be set up in various locations in the house and gardens. The client needs to ensure that the bartender service is licensed to sell alcoholic beverages. No one under the age of 21 will be permitted to consume alcohol on the premises.
Alcohol must be served in cups or glassware only —no dispensed bottles or cans.

Florists & Decorators
The client may select a florist or decorator of their choice. Please refer to the preferred vendor list. The florist will need to set up an appointment to delivery or design the floral arrangements and decorations for the event.  For planning purposes for dining table centerpieces, the distance from the table to the chandelier is 3 feet 10 inches.

Rental Equipment
It is the responsibility of the client to arrange for rental equipment and table linens for the event.  The full dining table measures 52 x 125 inches. The rental company may use the elevator in the kitchen to deliver the equipment to the main floor.  All the equipment must be immediately picked up after the event and cannot be left on the premises.  Please ensure that the elevator is placed back at the kitchen level and the elevator door is locked from the exterior.  If planning to set up a tent in the garden area, please note that the installation needs to be scheduled with the coordinator. Tents with stakes are not permitted due to potential damage to the irrigation system. 

Music and Dancing
The only music allowed inside the house is non-amplified instrumental music, such as chamber, harp or flute music. (See contract info., pg. 4)

Dancing is not permitted in the Bennett House in order to protect the historic floors. Acoustical music is allowed in the house but the use of amplified music is not permitted. A preferred vendor list of musicians is provided for clients.

A low -amplified instrumental music is permitted in the gardens. A band or DJ is allowed in the carriage house lawn, provided that the musician and speakers face west or northwest, as indicated in the attached diagram. A portable dance floor and tent may be set up in the garden area adjacent to the carriage house. The house coordinator may use his or her discretion to monitor the volume of the music. The Governor Thomas Bennett House is in a residential neighborhood and, as such, all events/activities planned for outside areas must be of a character that will not disturb neighbors. Events with amplification need to be over by 10PM in order to comply with the Charleston noise ordinance and residential area restrictions. Please contact the house coordinator if there are any questions or concerns.

Restrooms
A restroom for guests is located on the main floor. Additional restrooms on another floor is available by request.

Handicap Access
The house is handicapped accessible by means of a small elevator in the kitchen. There is a single handicapped parking space adjacent to the elevator entrance.  The main floor restroom will accommodate most wheelchairs. If any guests have special needs regarding accessibility, please discuss these with the house coordinator prior to the event to ensure these needs will be met.