1886 Stafford Opera House
Select services venue
The venue will provide the space, plus a few extras.
Full wedding (ceremony and reception) pricing
Starting at $500
Packages
Prices start at $50
Guest capacity
Up to 300 seated guests
About this venue
Columbus Historical Preservation Trust would be honored to be part of your special event! The historic 1886 Stafford Opera House offers two distinctive event spaces in the heart of the Columbus town square. We want your celebration to reflect YOU! You are welcome to choose your own planner, florist, caterer, bartender, entertainment, and other vendors. Every reservation includes tables (uncovered) and our gold upholstered chairs (pictured). The Grand Hall | $3,000 | 15-hour reservation: Located on the second floor, the Grand Hall offers timeless historic elegance and comfortably seats up to 300 guests and can flex for dancing. The Buddy Rau Room | $500 | 12-hour reservation: Located on the first floor, this charming and versatile space accommodates up to 97 guests. Please reach out with any questions or to schedule a tour. We’d love to assist you as you plan for your special day!
Our event spaces
The Grand Hall
The Grand Hall at the 1886 Stafford Opera House: Refined elegance, rich in history. Ideal for a timeless celebration.
The Grand Hall at the 1886 Stafford Opera House is rich with history, architectural character, and timeless Texas elegance. A dramatic stage, historic balcony, and private elevator create a setting as functional as it is unforgettable. More than a beautiful venue, the Grand Hall offers something newly built spaces cannot: authentic history, remarkable architecture, and an even better story.
Guest capacity
Up to 300 Seated
Up to 350 Standing
Ideal for
Wedding ceremony, Wedding reception, Rehearsal dinner, Wedding shower, Welcome party, Farewell brunch, Couples luncheon, Baraat, Cocktail hour, Engagement party, After party, Elopement, Other
Guests often feel this space is
“Surprised and delighted”
Included in this room:
Historic stage and balcony Dedicated elevator access ADA-accessible restrooms Professional stage and house lighting and sound Backstage dressing and support spaces Elegant gold cushioned event chairs 60" round banquet tables 6' and 8' rectangular tables Flexible floor plan for ceremonies, receptions, dinners, performances, and presentations Operable partition for flexible event layouts Historic architectural details throughout Convenient bar/service support areas Wi-Fi connectivity
Room cost
$3,000 for a 15-hour rental or $250 per hour under 5 hours
The Buddy Rau Room
The Buddy Rau Room: Where history welcomes you in for effortless gatherings, meaningful moments, and timeless celebrations.
The Buddy Rau Room, located on the first floor of the 1886 Stafford Opera House, offers a warm and elegant setting for gatherings of up to 97 guests. The space includes an adjoining kitchenette and a beautiful, flexible foyer ideal for cocktails, receptions, auctions, guest arrival, or additional event space. Thoughtfully designed for both function and charm, the Buddy Rau Room may be reserved on its own or added to your Grand Hall event for an even more seamless and memorable experience.
Guest capacity
Up to 80 Seated
Up to 97 Standing
Ideal for
Wedding ceremony, Wedding reception, Rehearsal dinner, Wedding shower, Welcome party, Farewell brunch, Couples luncheon, Baraat, Cocktail hour, Engagement party, After party, Elopement, Other
Guests often feel this space is
“Surprised and delighted”
Included in this room:
60" round tables 6' and 8' rectangular tables Cocktail and welcome tables HDMI presentation capabilities and (2) TVs Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity Adjoining kitchenette with refrigerator, freezer, microwave, and sink Built-in buffet and serving area Flexible foyer for cocktails, receptions, auctions, registration, or overflow May be rented independently or paired with the Grand Hall for larger events
Room cost
$500 for a 12-hour rental or $50 per hour under 4 hours
The Grand Hall
The Grand Hall at the 1886 Stafford Opera House: Refined elegance, rich in history. Ideal for a timeless celebration.
The Grand Hall at the 1886 Stafford Opera House is rich with history, architectural character, and timeless Texas elegance. A dramatic stage, historic balcony, and private elevator create a setting as functional as it is unforgettable. More than a beautiful venue, the Grand Hall offers something newly built spaces cannot: authentic history, remarkable architecture, and an even better story.
Guest capacity
Up to 300 Seated
Up to 350 Standing
Ideal for
Wedding ceremony, Wedding reception, Rehearsal dinner, Wedding shower, Welcome party, Farewell brunch, Couples luncheon, Baraat, Cocktail hour, Engagement party, After party, Elopement, Other
Guests often feel this space is
“Surprised and delighted”
Included in this room:
Historic stage and balcony Dedicated elevator access ADA-accessible restrooms Professional stage and house lighting and sound Backstage dressing and support spaces Elegant gold cushioned event chairs 60" round banquet tables 6' and 8' rectangular tables Flexible floor plan for ceremonies, receptions, dinners, performances, and presentations Operable partition for flexible event layouts Historic architectural details throughout Convenient bar/service support areas Wi-Fi connectivity
Room cost
$3,000 for a 15-hour rental or $250 per hour under 5 hours
The Buddy Rau Room
The Buddy Rau Room: Where history welcomes you in for effortless gatherings, meaningful moments, and timeless celebrations.
The Buddy Rau Room, located on the first floor of the 1886 Stafford Opera House, offers a warm and elegant setting for gatherings of up to 97 guests. The space includes an adjoining kitchenette and a beautiful, flexible foyer ideal for cocktails, receptions, auctions, guest arrival, or additional event space. Thoughtfully designed for both function and charm, the Buddy Rau Room may be reserved on its own or added to your Grand Hall event for an even more seamless and memorable experience.
Guest capacity
Up to 80 Seated
Up to 97 Standing
Ideal for
Wedding ceremony, Wedding reception, Rehearsal dinner, Wedding shower, Welcome party, Farewell brunch, Couples luncheon, Baraat, Cocktail hour, Engagement party, After party, Elopement, Other
Guests often feel this space is
“Surprised and delighted”
Included in this room:
60" round tables 6' and 8' rectangular tables Cocktail and welcome tables HDMI presentation capabilities and (2) TVs Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity Adjoining kitchenette with refrigerator, freezer, microwave, and sink Built-in buffet and serving area Flexible foyer for cocktails, receptions, auctions, registration, or overflow May be rented independently or paired with the Grand Hall for larger events
Room cost
$500 for a 12-hour rental or $50 per hour under 4 hours
1886 Stafford Opera House packages
Rental of the Grand Hall
350 guests
Peak pricing $250-3,000
Off-peak pricing $250-3,000
The Grand Hall at the 1886 Stafford Opera House is rich with history, architectural character, and timeless Texas elegance. A dramatic stage, historic balcony, and private elevator create a setting as functional as it is unforgettable. More than a beautiful venue, the Grand Hall offers something newly built spaces cannot: authentic history, remarkable architecture, and an even better story.
- Historic stage and balcony
- Dedicated elevator access
- Professional stage and house lighting
- Sound and microphone capabilities
- Handheld, lavalier, and headset microphones
- Grand piano and music stands
- Backstage dressing and support spaces
- Elegant gold cushioned event chairs
- 60" round banquet tables
- 6' and 8' rectangular tables
- Operable partition for flexible event layout
- Convenient bar/service support areas
- Wi-Fi connectivity
- Flexible floor plans
Rental of the Buddy Rau Room
97 guests
Peak pricing $50-500
Off-peak pricing $50-500
The Buddy Rau Room, located on the first floor of the 1886 Stafford Opera House, offers a warm and elegant setting for gatherings of up to 97 guests. The space includes an adjoining kitchenette and a beautiful, flexible foyer ideal for cocktails, receptions, auctions, guest arrival, or additional event space. Thoughtfully designed for both function and charm, the Buddy Rau Room may be reserved on its own or added to your Grand Hall event for an even more seamless and memorable experience.
- Accommodates up to 97 guests
- Comfortably seats 80 at round tables
- Tables and chairs included
- 6' and 8' rectangular tables
- 60" round banquet tables
- Cocktail and welcome tables
- Two large presentation TVs
- HDMI presentation capabilities
- Podium, speakers, and microphones
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity
- Adjoining kitchenette for catering
- Built-in buffet and serving area
- Piano (mobile)
- Convenient first-floor access
- Flexible foyer for welcome or cocktails
- Flexible floor plans
- Rented alone or paired with the Grand Hall
- First-floor ADA restrooms
Available services that can be provided by 1886 Stafford Opera House
Services & amenities
- Clean up
- Dance floor
- Dressing room / Bridal Suite
- Event staff
- Lighting/Sound
- Set up
- Wifi
Transportation & access
- Self parking - free
- Wheelchair accessible
Rentals
- Sound / AV
- Standard Chairs
Reviews
Write a review5.0 out of 5
5 reviews
- KH
Katie H.
Great venue, easy to book!
We hosted our company's business at 1886 Stafford Opera House with 40 guests in the Buddy Rao Room and couldn't have been happier with our choice. Leslie was an amazing communicator from start to finish, keeping us informed at every step and making sure the day ran smoothly without any hiccups. The venue itself is located in such a cute little town and provided the perfect backdrop for our celebration. Everything about the space and service was exactly what we needed, and the staff made us feel like we were their only priority. Their fast and efficient communication style, paired with their personal touch, made planning stress-free. We'd absolutely recommend 1886 Stafford Opera House to any person looking for a charming and well-run venue.
- JH
Jessica H.
CCHFH Volunteer & Donor Thank You Social
Colorado County Habitat for Humanity held a donor and volunteer social. There was snacks, drinks and desserts for everyone who came to socialize. The room was perfect for our social gathering. We were able to set up our laptop and play a video of volunteers and donors over time who have given to Colorado County Habitat for Humanity.
- GW
Glenda Green W.
Daughter
We chose 1886 Stafford Opera House for our Mother's repast and couldn't have been happier with the decision. From our first conversation, the team was professional and easy to work with, and they offered helpful suggestions that really shaped how our day came together. The venue itself is stunning—it has this elegant, historic charm that made our repast and reception feel special without us having to do much decorating. Their attention to detail and the quality of service we received was top notch, and everything ran smoothly on the actual day. We had guests comment on how beautiful the space was and how well everything was organized. If you're looking for a venue with a professional team and incredible value, 1886 Stafford Opera House is definitely worth considering.
- MC
Matt C.
Collins Family Trust
We had a great experience using the Buddy Rau Room. It’s a clean, well-kept space with plenty of room and everything we needed for our event. The location is ideal, the historic setting adds a lot of character, and the CHPT staff was great to work with. I’d definitely recommend it to other businesses and organizations.
- LG
LaShanda G.
Dream Build Success dreambuildsuccess.com
I cannot say enough about the Stafford Opera House. It has a unique character that distinguishes it from other venues. It was the perfect fit for our conference. Our transaction was smooth and we received quick follow-up for any questions that arose. I host events across the nation and this was definitely one of the greatest experiences I’ve had. I look forward to hosting other conferences at the Opera House in the future.
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