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Event Space FAQs

Updated March 2025

  1. How do I make a reservation request?

Please complete and submit the Briggs House Event Reservation Request Form.

  1. How far in advance can I request a reservation?

Departments and offices may request reservations up to one year in advance.

  1. Who can reserve event space at Briggs House?

Event space exclusively serves college departments and offices only, for internal events. Briggs House is not available for event rental, including to faculty, staff, or alumni. 

  1. What is the cost to departments to reserve/use the Briggs event space?

There is a $35 charge, payable with your department or office FOAPAL. 

  1. Why does Briggs have a charge for event reservations?

Unlike other campus event spaces, Briggs has resources available for departments and offices to use if/as needed for their events. This includes things like tablecloths, dishes, glassware, and silverware, decorative hurricane lamps for tables, a coffee pot and electric tea kettle, etc. The rental charge covers replacement costs for these resources.

  1. When is the space available for reservation?

Event space is available during the academic year, Monday through Friday between 9:00am and 9:30pm. In consideration of Briggs overnight guests, all set up and take down must occur between these hours, as well as the event itself. Briggs is closed during all college observed holidays and breaks.

  1. What comprises the event space?

Our event space includes the entire main floor (living and dining rooms, foyer, library/bar, porch, kitchen, accessible restroom on main floor, non-accessible room in the basement) as well as the backyard, weather permitting. 

  1. Is the event space accessible?

Our main floor is accessible via the ramp entrance to the porch, on the south side of the House. We do not have automatic doors. Please note that while all main floor rooms are accessible, there are some doorways between rooms that are not wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair, requiring guests to enter some rooms via another doorway. An all gender ADA accessible restroom is located on the main floor.

  1. What is the capacity of the event space?

Our maximum capacity is 60, suitable for a standing reception. For table seating, our dining room table can seat up to 12 guests, and the porch has four rounds that can seat up to 24. When weather permits, we have five rounds of 8, for seating up to 40, in the backyard. The living room furnishings seat up to nine; additional chairs are available to supplement living room seating. 

  1. How can I determine whether Briggs is a good venue for my event?

It depends on the size of your event, and what your plans are. Although our capacity is 60, there is not a single space in which that many guests can gather. We host receptions, small dinners, and department meetings and retreats. Submit your Event Reservation Request Form, and Briggs House Manager Catherine Westby can discuss your event details with you to determine whether the space will meet your needs.

  1. Is there parking available for event guests at Briggs House?

No. Briggs has a small lot with three parking spaces for our overnight guests. There is street parking available on Macalester and Cambridge Streets, Summit service drive, and the north side of Summit Avenue. There is one ADA parking space in the Cultural House parking lot, however please note it is not exclusive to Briggs House use. Guests may also park in lots on campus to the south of Grand Avenue.

  1. What catering options are available at Briggs House?

If you want full service catering for your event, and/or plan to serve beer/wine at your event, you must use Bon Appetit. Departments and offices are also able to self-cater, and bring in their own food and/or have it delivered. Information on self catering your event can be found here. 

  1. Is cooking permitted in the Briggs kitchen?

No; in accordance with Ramsey County Public Health Codes Briggs kitchen is considered a catering prep kitchen only, and cooking is not permitted.

  1. Does Briggs have a piano?

No; the grand piano was moved from the Briggs House living room to the Bigelow main floor lounge in 2018.

  1. Does Briggs have any AV equipment or resources available?

No; we do not have any amplification, speakers for music, presentation screens, or any other AV/tech devices. Departments will need to make their own arrangements for AV support, and coordinate accordingly with the Briggs House Manager. More information may be found here.