Rent the Museum

Morrill Hall Rental

Give your guests an experience they will never forget as you dine among the elephants and fossils at Morrill Hall. Built nearly 100 years ago, Morrill Hall is part of Nebraska’s premiere natural history museum. We have several rental spaces available for hosting receptions, business meetings, classes, and events. Add on full-museum access and allow your guests to roam all the Museum’s galleries and exhibits in a relaxed environment. Guided tours and private planetarium shows can make your event even more special.

Plus, when you book with us, access to museum tables, chairs, and A/V equipment is included. Our staff handle the set up and tear down of all museum equipment before and after your event. After-hours rentals include use of our designated museum parking stalls (rental during operating hours is based on a first-come-first-serve basis, but additional UNL parking passes are available for a fee).

Call (402) 472-6784 or email mcook19@unl.edu for more information. You may also complete a space rental inquiry with us online.

ELEPHANT HALL
Elephant Hall is the main banquet/reception location within the museum. It houses the incredible “Parade of Elephants”. These massive fossils provide the backdrop for an amazing dining experience or a unique meeting/lecture location, and certainly a one-of-a-kind wedding reception. Rental also includes access for guests to the second floor’s other exhibits: Mesozoic Gallery and Bizarre Beasts. (Exploration of other museum floors requires an additional custodial/security fee.)

Capacity:
-96 guests, seated at 6' round tables
-150 guests, standing reception
-150 guests, theater style seating

Spillover capacity:
Additional capacity is available in the adjacent Rhino Gallery. The space is connected to Elephant Hall, but does not carry line of sight to the majority of the room. 
-Additional 32 guests, seated at 6' round tables
-45 guests, standing reception

Adjacent hallway galleries have also been used for holding buffet lines or additional capacity for cocktail table/standing receptions.

*Note* Elephant Hall is typically only available for rental outside of normal business hours (after 5:00 pm).

SCIENCE EXPLORATION ZONE
Part of the recently remodeled Cherish Nebraska exhibit on the museum's 4th floor, our Science Exploration Zone (SEZ) offers a unique meeting space.  It's also perfect for small receptions or a fun space for corporate team building and networking activities. Use of the large smartboard and overhead audio system are included with the rental, as is exploration of the neighboring Cherish Nebraska exhibits. (Exploration of other museum floors requires additional custodial/security fee.)

Capacity:
-24 guests, dining with 6' round tables
-36 guests, classroom style group tables or 6' long banquet table dining
-40 guests, standing reception/cocktail tables
-50 guests, theater style seating

BOARD ROOM
Hold your next meeting in Morrill Hall’s boardroom featuring iconic elephant décor and a gallery of past University of Nebraska State Museum directors. Our board table will seat up to 12 comfortably, with plenty of additional gallery seating in the room. Need lunch catered in? No problem. We’ll set up additional 6’ tables for you to hold lunch or break foods. Speaking of breaks, if you rent our board room during business hours, your party can stretch their legs and explore the entire museum at no additional cost.

Capacity:
-12 guests, seated at board table
-12-18 guests, gallery seating