The Coach House at Dundurn National Historic Site

Dundurn Castle is a 40-room Italianate villa built in the 1830s for Sir Allan Napier MacNab, Premier of the United Canadas from 1854 to 1856.

About the venue

The site stands on Burlington Heights, where British forces had a fortified camp during the War of 1812. The Coach House is a Victorian outbuilding on the grounds with wood beams and original stone walls, rented by the City of Hamilton. The museum runs themed children’s birthday party programs, and families supply their own food. Free parking is on site, and the venue is about two minutes from Highway 403. Events serving alcohol must follow the City of Hamilton’s Municipal Alcohol Policy.

On EventPlans.ca it is listed as a museum or gallery, unique venue and kids’ party venue in Hamilton, at 610 York Blvd, Hamilton, ON.

Event spaces

The venue lists these spaces. Capacities are the venue’s own figures and change with the layout you choose.

• The Coach House: 110 theatre, 72 banquet
• Party room (birthday programs): up to 14–15 children depending on program
• Picnic Pavilion

Capacity

The venue publishes a maximum of 72 seated, 110 theatre style. Those are top figures for an empty room. A dance floor, a stage, a buffet or a photo booth each take space, so plan on fewer guests than the maximum once your layout is drawn.

A useful rule: a seated dinner at rounds of ten needs about 1 to 1.2 square metres per guest, a standing reception about 0.7, and theatre seating about 0.6, before you add a stage or dance floor. The venue capacity calculator does the arithmetic for your room.

Events it hosts

According to its own event pages, the venue hosts weddings, private social events and kids’ birthdays.

For timelines, budgets and checklists, start with the wedding planning hub, kids’ birthday hub.

Questions to ask on your site visit

Bring these to your walk-through. Get the answers in writing before you sign.

• Which galleries are open to guests during the event, and which must stay closed?
• Are there rules on food, red wine, candles or flowers near the collection?
• What is the earliest set-up time after the public closes?
• Must you use the in-house caterer, and is security staffing included?
• Are there height, haze or fog restrictions near the artwork?
• Can guests take photos in all spaces?

Planning entertainment here

Museums often limit haze, open flame and anything that could touch the collection. Close-up magic, string players and roaming performers usually fit easily; ask before booking anything with fire or confetti.

Send every performer’s technical needs to the venue before you book: floor space, ceiling height, power, sound and changing room.

Getting there

The venue lists free on-site parking. The venue states that its event spaces are accessible. Check the venue website for directions, parking rates and accessible entrances, and send the details to guests with the invitation.

Official website: hamiltoncivicmuseums.ca/dundurn-national-historic-site