Rentals

Thank you for your interest in renting facilities in our historic Thorne Oaks Mansion at the Morristown Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (MUUF).  Whether you are planning a small meeting, a community event, a wedding, a concert, or a long-term rental for your organization, we offer a variety of rooms that can accommodate different needs and preferences, most equipped with modern technology in a historic setting.  You may enjoy the convenience of our spacious parking lot and the fun of our play areas for children.  

When not required for church use, MUUF makes its facilities available for rental to charitable and non-profit organizations, and to groups, whose principal stated purpose is helping people in need, providing education, or providing cultural or health related activities, community development and/or promotion of religious, spiritual and moral values.  Rentals for life events, such as weddings, must be officiated by a Unitarian Universalist Minister.  MUUF does not rent its facilities to for-profit corporations for official company or business-oriented retreats.

Description of Facilities

Meeting Room – an octagonal shaped room with theater style, multi-level seating for 160 people.  The room is air-conditioned and there is an audio-video system available and a piano on the stage.  No food or drink is allowed in the Meeting Room.

Library – The intimate, oak-walled Library (17’ x 23’) is ideal for meetings or small classes up to 10-12 people.  The Library is furnished with comfortable sofas and armchairs.

Dining Room – The Dining Room (24’ x 17’) is great for meetings and discussion groups.  The large, oval table can seat up to 12 people.

Terrace Room – The Terrace Room (35’ x 20’) is a spacious room with hardwood floors, molded ceiling, and a non-working fireplace surrounded by tall windows that look out to the Courtyard.  There is a piano in the room.  It is ideal for receptions and intimate celebrations with table seating for 50 people.

Note: during construction of the Gateways Center (new building addition), the Terrace Room has limited capacity and no outdoor access.  Construction is expected to be completed by November 2024.

Classrooms – The Thorne Oaks Mansion offers a range of classrooms/meeting rooms on the second and third floors perfect for brainstorming sessions, classes, lectures, and even yoga and meditation sessions.  These rooms are not accessible for disabled people.

Scheduling

Rental space is typically allocated on a first come, first served basis.  Rentals will not be scheduled more than ninety days in advance except for weddings.  We expect all renters to welcome all people, without regard to race, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or national origin, and to honor the inherent worth and dignity of every person. Of course, MUUF reserves the right to decline any rental for any reason. 

Application Process 

1. Renter to make an appointment with the MUUF Administrator [email protected] or Event Manager and tour the facility, if desired.
2. Renter will obtain the application package and submit the completed forms to the MUUF office for review.  The package includes but is not limited to:

1. Rental Rate Schedule
2. Description and Guidelines for Use
3. Rental Application 
4. Rental Contract including Indemnification Agreement

1. Renter will be notified of approval or disapproval within 10 working days from submission of the completed application.
2. Upon approval, fees will be required as outlined in the Rental Application.
3. If the Renter is a non-profit organization, a letter of determination from the IRS of non-profit 501(c)(3) status must be submitted.

Facility Availability

Only the specific room(s) reserved may be used and only for the time contracted.  Reservation time must include setup and cleanup unless otherwise specified.  Access to the building is not allowed outside of the contracted hours.  Rentals may begin at 7 a.m.  

The Morris Township Zoning Board Approval mandates that on weeknights, all events must end before 10 p.m. and the entire facility, including parking lots, must be vacated by 10:30 p.m.  On weekend evenings, all events must end before 11 pm. and the entire facility, including parking lots, vacated by 11:30 p.m.

Furniture and Decorations

1. Renter is responsible for setting up for the event as well as cleaning up afterward.  MUUF requires a custodian to be on the premises during major events to supervise building use, deal with emergencies, and oversee final clean-up.  MUUF is not responsible for items left in the building or on the grounds.
2. No decorations are to be placed on the acoustic panels in the Great Hall.  Light use of painter’s tape in other rooms may be permitted with the approval of the Administrator.  No cellophane tape or staples may be used anywhere.
3. If Renter wishes MUUF staff to remove extensive decoration at the end of the event, arrangements for additional payment for custodian time shall be made in advance.
4. No furniture may be moved out of the Library.
5. The piano in the Meeting Room and the Terrace Room may not be moved out of the room.  
6. Any item moved out of place in the Mansion must be returned to its original position including furniture and equipment that was in building storage spaces.
7. Trash is to be bagged and deposited in the dumpster located in the Service Court outside the side porch.  Recyclables are to be placed in the receptacle in the kitchen for disposal by MUUF custodian.  Cardboard boxes are to be flattened and placed on the back porch.

Rental Inclusions

See Mansion Rental Rate Schedule.  Rental fee includes the following:

1. Access to reserved area from time of entry to time of final lock-up.
2. Services of staff as identified in Rental Application 
3. Accessible parking (106 spaces) in the East lot; additional accessible parking (31 spaces) in the West lot.  Parking on Normandy Heights Road is limited to the same side of the street as MUUF.

Kitchen Use

The Mansion kitchen may be used for coffee/tea service and for the staging of prepared foods only at the rate noted in the Rental Rate schedule.

Alcohol Policy

1. Alcohol use on the property is limited to beer and wine only.  When beer and wine is served, non-alcoholic beverages and food will also be served.
2. Alcohol will be served by, served to, and consumed by persons 21 years of age minimally.
3. If alcohol is served, it must be by an insured bartender.  A Certificate of Insurance naming MUUF as additional insured must be provided one week prior to the event.  
4. If an admission fee is charged for an event, there shall be no alcoholic beverage served unless a permit is obtained the Morris Township and approved by the State ABC.
5. Violation of this policy will result in immediate expulsion from the facility and forfeiting the entire security deposit.

Audio Visual

Audio Visual equipment is available in the Meeting Room for an additional fee but must be reserved.  Renter may bring their own equipment at no additional cost.

Music

Amplified music must stop no later than 10 p.m.  There shall be no amplified music outside, in front of, or at the sides of the building.  When there is amplified music in the building, it must be kept at a level which will not disturb the neighborhood.  Doors and windows at the front and side of the building shall be closed.

Animals and Pets

1. No animals (except service or assistance animals) are allowed on the property other than for a special event with prior written consent from the Administrator.
2. No animals are allowed in the kitchen at any time.

Climate Control

1. Only the Meeting Room is air-conditioned; the rest of the Mansion is not.  Heating and air conditioning controls shall be left as found unless specific instructions have been issued by a MUUF staff member or representative.  
2. Electric fans may be brought in with the approval of the Administrator.  
3. Space heaters may not be used.  Fireplaces may not be used.

Parking

Parking is available in the East parking lot with overflow parking in the West parking lot or in the gravel parking lot facing Columbia Turnpike.  Parking on Normandy Heights Road is limited to the same side of the street as the Fellowship.  Renters are responsible for supervising their own parking.  Events of broad public interest or those advertised publicly are required to hire a traffic officer.  Off-duty police are available through Morris Township Police Department.

Additional Items

1. Children are welcome and must always be under the care of supervising adults.
2. No MUUF property or equipment shall be removed from the property.
3. MUUF is not responsible for items left in the Mansion or on the grounds.
4. No smoking, vaping, or drug use are permitted in the building.  Smoking is permitted outside, and waste disposed in the provided cigarette receptacle or trash cans.
5. No food or beverages are permitted in the Meeting Room or the Library.
6. No firearms are permitted to be carried into the facility for any event.
7. No ball playing, rollerblades, skates, or wheeled sports activities are allowed in the building or courtyard.
8. Computer generated or professional directional signs may be taped to the glass of exterior doors just prior to the event and then cleanly removed afterwards.  A directional sign may be placed at the driveway entrances and removed after the event.
9. An Event Manager or staff custodian will be on the premises during major events to supervise building use and/or deal with emergencies.
10. If a non-MUUF user publicizes an event at the Mansion, the ad is to read “using the facilities of the Morristown Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.”
11. Battery operated candles may be used.
12. Raffles may be held only with the prior approval of Morris Township.

Renter Responsibilities and Requirements

1. Make no changes to the facility without prior approval.
2. Submit Rental Agreement with all attachments when reservation is confirmed by MUUF.
3. Pay by cash or check, all rental fees, damage deposit, and additional fees for MUUF staff.
4. Trash is to be bagged and deposited in the dumpster located in the Service Court outside the side porch.  Recyclables are to be placed in the receptacle in the kitchen for disposal by MUUF custodian.  Cardboard boxes are to be flattened and placed on the back porch.
5. Report any damage or spills to the Event Manager for immediate attention.