The Readington Museums Rental Policy Bouman-Stickney Farmstead Grounds and Barn Scope The three structures that comprise the Readington Museums (Eversole-Hall House, Cold Brook School, and Bouman-Stickney Farmstead) and their respective surrounding properties are owned and operated by Readington Township. They are museums first, and meeting places second. We encourage the citizens of Readington Township to enjoy the facilities, but please understand that our immediate interest must be the protection of the structures and their contents. This policy applies to any group of people who would like the property and/or barn and parking lot at the Bouman Stickney Farmstead reserved for their function. Property is defined herein as the mowed lawn between the house and the barn. Reserving a facility Because the Bouman-Stickney property is a functioning museum, rental is dependent on the availability of the property. The Readington Museum Committee reserves the right to refuse to rent the property if the requested time conflicts with a scheduled Museum function. Requests to use the facility must be made to both the Readington Museums and Readington Township at least 60 days in advance of the event (attached Rental Agreement and Reservation Form). The event must be approved by both the Township of Readington and the Readington Museum Committee. This generally takes 30 days. You will be notified when a decision has been reached. If you are not familiar with the facilities, please make an appointment with the Museum staff (908-236-2327) to review the grounds, parking, etc. A pre-event meeting between the event coordinator and the Museum staff may be required to inspect the facility and go over plans for the event. This may be done anytime up to 30 days prior to your event. Deposits, Application Approval and Cancelations There is a $500.00 deposit required for all rentals and must be included with your completed rental application. Please make your check out to: Readington Museums Trust.
Your application must be approved by both the Museums Committee and the Township of Readington. This can take anywhere from two to four weeks. You will be notified once a decision has been reached. Should you cancel your event for any reason, $150.00 of your deposit will become NON-REFUNDABLE. Should your application be denied, your deposit will be returned. This deposit will be used to hold your event and cover any minor damage that may occur. Applicants will be notified in writing about any damages found and any fees deducted from the deposit amount. Should the amount of the damage exceed the deposit amount, a claim will be made against the required insurance policy (see Responsibilities below). If there is no damage or mess to the structure or property, your deposit will be returned to you. If your event has been approved the ground and/or barn rental fees will be due within 30 days of notification. Failure to send your payment within that time frame, without prior arrangements, may cause your event to be cancelled for nonpayment. Readington Twp. Residents/Non-profits General Public and Corporate Barn Rental ONLY $200 Barn Rental ONLY $400 Grounds Rental ONLY $100 Grounds Rental ONLY $200 Barn and Ground Rental $250 Barn and Ground Rental $500 NOTE- any activity not held within the barn will be considered a ground rental. E.G. wedding ceremonies held on the grounds constitute a ground rental and will be charged as thus. Restrictions The Museums facilities are not always an appropriate setting for certain events. The Bouman-Stickney House and the corn crib at the Bouman-Stickney Farmstead will not be rented for events, but may be available for tours during the event if arrangements are made in advance with Museum staff. It is the Museums policy that the use of its facilities should be consistent with the local, state and national laws and ordinances. Readington Township rules and ordinances regarding noise (attached), alcohol, and all other applicable local, state and federal regulations must be strictly obeyed. The controlled dangerous substances are prohibited on the Museum grounds. An application for permission to serve beer and wine on the Museum grounds must
be filled out prior to your event and approved by the Museum Committee, Readington Township and the Readington Police Department. Any other type of alcohol will require the hiring of a private bar tender that must possess a liquor license. This you must do on your own and a copy of the certification must be given to the Museums 30 days prior to your event. Food is allowed in the barn. No candles or open flames including chafing dishes with candles or Sterno-type heating devices are permitted in any of the Museum buildings. You may set up a tent, NO BIGGER THAN 8 x 8 feet, 10 feet away from the barn if you wish to serve hot food requiring a sterno set up. Remember that any tent larger than 8 x 8 will be considered a ground rental with additional fees required. The use of outdoor open fires or camp fires is prohibited. Grills may be used. No smoking is permitted in the Museum buildings. No flammable materials (e.g. hay bales) may be placed within 10 feet of any Museum building. The use of fireworks on the property is strictly prohibited. All events must end by 10PM, unless prior permission has been obtained from the Museum Committee. No decorations requiring the use of tape, nails, staples, or thumbtacks onto/into the structure are allowed in the barn. Occupancy in the barn is posted. Because of fire regulations, the barn will not be rented to parties in excess of 150 people. Depending on the type of event and anticipated attendance, the Museum Committee and/or the Township Committee may require that the renter provide security (off duty police officer). This will be discussed with the renter upon submission of the rental agreement. The use of insect yard foggers is prohibited. Responsibilities Museum personnel will open and close the facilities. Arrangements may be made for access to the barn two days prior and one day after the event. Please contact Museum staff for details.
Property renters are responsible for all set-ups and clean up. A broom is available in the barn. If the barn is used for the function, it is expected that it will be left broom clean. Renters are responsible for collecting and removing trash from the property. Please do not leave trash outside of the barn. Renters are responsible for keeping doorways clear of equipment and supplies due to fire regulations. Restroom facilities at the Farmstead are limited. Groups in excess of 50 people must arrange for additional restroom facilities through the Museum staff or through direct rental using Johnny on the Spot. The charge for these additional facilities will be the responsibility of the renting group. The Museums cannot provide chairs, tables or tents for an event. If renting the grounds ONLY personal tents may be erected provided that they are taken down and removed from the property by the end of the event. If renting the barn ONLYas stated prior an 8 x 8 foot tent may be set up outside the barn for food use only. If the tent exceeds these dimensions it will be considered a ground rental and additional fees will apply. A certificate of liability insurance in the amount of $1,000,000 naming Readington Township and the Readington Township Museums as additional insured from the renter, as well as any caterer or other business, is required before the use of the facility. A copy of this insurance policy is due 30 days prior to your event. Failure to send a copy of the policy within 30 days without prior arrangements will result in the cancelation of your event and the return of your deposit money. The renter will be required to include the following statement on fliers, posters and other publicity for an event: This event is not sponsored by the Readington Museums. Any questions should be directed to (name/phone number of renting person or organization). Parking is only allowed in designated areas. A map will be sent to your prior to the event so that you may direct guests to these areas. You may park in the designated parking lot with overflow parking to be made over the wooden bridge and IMMEDIATELY to the RIGHT and behind the guest house. Parking to the LEFT is prohibited. Liability The renting party will hold the Readington Museums, the Museum Committee members, the Readington Township Committee, the Township of Readington and its employees
free from any liability or claim for damages or suit for or because of any injuries to any person or property of any kind and from any cause arising out of the use and occupation of the premises by the renting party; and the renting party hereby covenants and agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Readington Museums, the Museum Committee members, the Readington Township Committee, the Township of Readington and its employees from all liability or damage on account of or by reason of any such injuries and/or damage.