The History Center

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Guest capacity

Up to 160 seated guests

About this venue

Built in 1893, the former city hall of Fort Wayne is a beautiful example of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture. As a museum and a historic building, the History Center has a unique character of its own for you and your guests to explore. Travel through time and learn about the history of Allen County and Fort Wayne through the museum’s fascinating exhibits. The History Center has three rooms available to rent, making it the perfect location for any event. The Shields Room is the centerpiece of the museum. It is the former City Council Chamber and Courtroom. Its features include golden oak paneling, a grand chandelier, large windows with expansive city views, and the restored 22-foot ceiling decorated in rich colors and 24kt gold-leaf stencils. You and your guests may ascend the Grand Staircase or use the elevator to reach the room’s second floor entrance. Two smaller rooms, the Board Room and the Orientation Room, are also available to accommodate small gatherings.

Seated guest capacity

  • 160

Venue type

  • Ballrooms, Banquet Halls
  • Museums, Galleries

Venue setting

  • Indoor
  • Outdoor
302 E Berry St, Fort Wayne, IN 46802

Our event spaces

Shields Room

Celebrate Your Own "Historic Occasion" With The History Center

The Shields Room is the centerpiece of the museum. It is the former City Council Chamber and Courtroom. An extensive 2009 renovation has restored its original Victorian beauty. Its features include golden oak paneling, a grand chandelier, large windows with expansive city views, and the restored 22-foot ceiling decorated in rich colors and 24kt gold-leaf stencils. You and your guests may ascend the Grand Staircase or use the elevator to reach the room’s second floor entrance.

Guest capacity

Up to 160 Seated

Up to 200 Standing

Square footage

2,500

Ideal for

Wedding ceremony, Wedding reception, Welcome party, Farewell brunch, Couples luncheon, Cocktail hour, After party, Other

Included in this room:

- Plenty of both natural and artificial lighting - Restrooms just down the hall - Elevator access directly to the room - Microphone with stand (upon request) - Speakers and some sound equipment (upon request)

Room cost

$300.00/hr Fri-Sun & $200.00/hr Mon-Thu

Board Room

Celebrate Your Own "Historic Occasion" With The History Center

The Orientation Room is next to the Shields Room. It has several of our exhibits lining the walls and features frequently rotating displays. I can accommodate up to 35 people with banquet-style seating or up to 50 people theater-style seating. This room is ideal for small gatherings. Guests frequently rent it on top of the Shields Room to use it as a food staging or buffet room.

Guest capacity

Up to 35 Seated

Up to 50 Standing

Ideal for

Couples luncheon, Cocktail hour, Engagement party, Other

Room cost

$200.00/hr Fri-Sun & $100.00/hr Mon-Thu

Slane Rotating Gallery

Celebrate Your Own "Historic Occasion" With The History Center

The Board Room is the smallest of our spaces. It is one of our exhibit rooms and features various displays lining the walls. It is located all the way at the end of the first floor hall. This space is ideal for small meetings. The doors to the Board Room can also be securely locked if necessary, so many guests have rented it on top of the Shields Room as a space to get ready, do hair and makeup, etc.

Guest capacity

Up to 25 Seated

Up to 35 Standing

Ideal for

Couples luncheon, Cocktail hour, Engagement party, Other

Included in this room:

- Some tables and chairs arranged in the center of the room.

Room cost

$100.00/hr

Barr Street Market

Celebrate Your Own "Historic Occasion" With The History Center

The Barr Street Market is the oldest public space in the city of Fort Wayne. It is located just behind the History Center and has awnings covering the majority of the space. It is lined with trees and easily accessible from the road. Rental of the Barr Street Market does not include access to the History Center or its facilities. Chairs and tables are not available. Limited electricity available.

Guest capacity

Up to 100 Seated

Up to 250 Standing

Ideal for

Wedding ceremony, Wedding reception, After party, Elopement, Other

Room cost

$150.00/hr

Shields Room

Celebrate Your Own "Historic Occasion" With The History Center

The Shields Room is the centerpiece of the museum. It is the former City Council Chamber and Courtroom. An extensive 2009 renovation has restored its original Victorian beauty. Its features include golden oak paneling, a grand chandelier, large windows with expansive city views, and the restored 22-foot ceiling decorated in rich colors and 24kt gold-leaf stencils. You and your guests may ascend the Grand Staircase or use the elevator to reach the room’s second floor entrance.

Guest capacity

Up to 160 Seated

Up to 200 Standing

Square footage

2,500

Ideal for

Wedding ceremony, Wedding reception, Welcome party, Farewell brunch, Couples luncheon, Cocktail hour, After party, Other

Included in this room:

- Plenty of both natural and artificial lighting - Restrooms just down the hall - Elevator access directly to the room - Microphone with stand (upon request) - Speakers and some sound equipment (upon request)

Room cost

$300.00/hr Fri-Sun & $200.00/hr Mon-Thu

Board Room

Celebrate Your Own "Historic Occasion" With The History Center

The Orientation Room is next to the Shields Room. It has several of our exhibits lining the walls and features frequently rotating displays. I can accommodate up to 35 people with banquet-style seating or up to 50 people theater-style seating. This room is ideal for small gatherings. Guests frequently rent it on top of the Shields Room to use it as a food staging or buffet room.

Guest capacity

Up to 35 Seated

Up to 50 Standing

Ideal for

Couples luncheon, Cocktail hour, Engagement party, Other

Room cost

$200.00/hr Fri-Sun & $100.00/hr Mon-Thu

Slane Rotating Gallery

Celebrate Your Own "Historic Occasion" With The History Center

The Board Room is the smallest of our spaces. It is one of our exhibit rooms and features various displays lining the walls. It is located all the way at the end of the first floor hall. This space is ideal for small meetings. The doors to the Board Room can also be securely locked if necessary, so many guests have rented it on top of the Shields Room as a space to get ready, do hair and makeup, etc.

Guest capacity

Up to 25 Seated

Up to 35 Standing

Ideal for

Couples luncheon, Cocktail hour, Engagement party, Other

Included in this room:

- Some tables and chairs arranged in the center of the room.

Room cost

$100.00/hr

Barr Street Market

Celebrate Your Own "Historic Occasion" With The History Center

The Barr Street Market is the oldest public space in the city of Fort Wayne. It is located just behind the History Center and has awnings covering the majority of the space. It is lined with trees and easily accessible from the road. Rental of the Barr Street Market does not include access to the History Center or its facilities. Chairs and tables are not available. Limited electricity available.

Guest capacity

Up to 100 Seated

Up to 250 Standing

Ideal for

Wedding ceremony, Wedding reception, After party, Elopement, Other

Room cost

$150.00/hr

Available services that can be provided by The History Center

Services & amenities

  • Event coordinator
  • Event rentals
  • Wheelchair accessible

Transportation & access

  • Self parking - free
  • Wheelchair accessible

Rentals

  • Standard Chairs

Reviews

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We are at our busiest from September through December. Please email events@fwhistorycenter.org to receive date information.
Alcohol MUST be brought, handled, and served by a business with a valid portable liquor license that allows them to cater in various venues. This is NOT simply a bartending license. If alcohol is served, additional charges apply to provide security for the safety of guests and staff. Please email events@fwhistorycenter.org to receive more information.
Yes, we have limited spaces available in the lot next to the History Center. They are marked with signs reading “Museum Guest Parking Only.” Once these spots are filled, guests are responsible for finding other downtown parking. There are nearby garages, and several meters are located on Berry and Barr alongside the building. Downtown parking is free on most weekends, but please check ahead of time with the city about parking charges and any events that may limit parking downtown. You are responsible for informing your guests, and the History Center is not liable for tickets issued by the city due to illegal parking.
Yes, all of our facilities are wheelchair accessible except for the Old City Jail, as the elevator does not go below the ground floor. Please email events@fwhistorycenter.org to receive more information.
Our rentals are all on a pay-per-hour schedule. This includes scheduling times for setup and teardown. Each rental has a minimum requirement of 2 hours (some exceptions apply). Please email events@fwhistorycenter.org to receive more information.
We allow any caterer with a valid food handling/serving license. Once you schedule your caterer, the History Center events/program coordinator must receive a copy of the business’s license to confirm validity. Homemade food is not permitted; the only exception would be for a wedding cake. Please email events@fwhistorycenter.org to receive more information.
There may be additional charges on top of the per hour rental fees. Please contact our events/program coordinator at events@fwhistorycenter.org to get information.
We are approximately a 25 minute drive from Fort Wayne International Airport, depending on downtown Fort Wayne traffic. Please email events@fwhistorycenter.org to receive more information.
CONTACT US! We ONLY answer rental inquiries by email, phone, or in-person meeting. We are currently unable to respond via Zola, but by contacting our Program Coordinator by phone or email, you will receive a reply ASAP. Email: events@fwhistorycenter.org OR programs@fwhistorycenter.org Phone: (260) 426-2882 ext. 308 Address: 302 E Berry Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46802
No, we do not provide any linens or decoration items. Please email events@fwhistorycenter.org to receive more information.
No, our venue is fully insured. You do not need to get insurance for the event if you do not wish to. Please email events@fwhistorycenter.org to receive more information.
If the event is rescheduled 61 or more days prior to the event, an additional rescheduling fee of 25% of the full rental fee will be charged. If the event is scheduled fewer than 60 days prior to the event, an additional rescheduling fee of 50% of the full rental fee will be charged. If the event is canceled 61 or more days prior to the event, the deposit is forfeited. If the event is canceled fewer than 60 days prior to the event, the deposit is forfeited and the full balance is due. Please email events@fwhistorycenter.org to receive more information.
All indoor History Center rentals include complimentary padded folding chairs. 60" round banquet tables are available for rent at $5 per table, and each table can seat up to 8 people. Rectangular banquet tables (6' and 8' lengths) are available for no additional charge by request, though quantities are limited, so we recommend reserving those for catering, head tables, gift tables, meeting setups, etc. Small cocktail tables are also available at no charge. We typically have between 5-7 available. Piping can be rented at $10 per unit (roughly 5'-10') for draperies. Please email events@fwhistorycenter.org to receive more information.

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