<When you rent out the facility for outside events there is always the
chance that the renters don't "get it," i.e., don't fully understand
that you are a MUSEUM and not a banquet hall. >

Actually, I would have said there's the GUARANTEE that the renters won't
"get it."  We rent out only the grounds for events, have a rental
reservation form (which, signed, constitutes a contract) spelling out
conditions, a separate caterers' agreement (which, among other things,
requires removal of food wastes from the premises), have staff present
for after-hours events, and STILL from time to time have problems--with
drunkenness, rowdiness, loud music (neighbors), trying to utilize
additional space not agreed to or paid for, pushiness that tries to
encroach on museum areas even though the renters have been made fully
aware it's off-limits (Well, can the bride come through the house so
that she can come down the exterior stairway? Can we just run this
extension cord into this upstairs room?).  And there's always a mess
afterward, to varying degrees, which our meager maintenance personnel
take care of.  But very many of the groups are lovely, well-behaved, and
the income comes in fast lump sums compared to the day-in, day-out
tours.

Carolyn Breedlove
Executive Director
Kent Plantation House
3601 Bayou Rapides Road
Alexandria, LA  71303
318/487-5998
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