Prospect House is a private club for all full‐time faculty and staff of Princeton University. Use of the house is reserved for, but not limited to, members of Prospect House and their guests and is open year-round. Your Princeton University employee identification card entitles you to membership to Prospect House. As a member, you are eligible to reserve space(s) at Prospect House without a facility fee.

As a non‐member, Princeton University alumni and graduate students can apply for approval to use Prospect House for a personal or family event with a Facility Fee payable to Princeton University. 

Please call the Prospect House Catering Department at 609-258-3323 or 609-258-3456 to 
obtain additional details or schedule an appointment. Site tours are by appointment Monday through Friday during business hours. The weekends and evenings are generally occupied with events that require our undivided attention. However, on occasion, we are able to accommodate appointments outside of business hours.

Non-University, not‐for‐profit organizations who are interested in using Princeton University facilities, inclusive of Prospect House, must email the Princeton University Office of Conference and Event Services at [email protected].

When you are ready to book your event at Prospect House, you will need the information below to proceed.  Please email the following information to [email protected] to confirm eligibility.

• Username (person affiliated with Princeton University):
• Affiliation:
• User Address:
• User Phone Number(s):
• User Email:
• Preferred Date of Event:
• Start Time of Event:
• Estimated Guest Count:

Our menus provide wonderful options for brunch, receptions and dinner.   Prospect House will happily accommodate special menu requests due to preference or dietary restrictions. Please ask your catering representative for suggestions on customizing your menu. Customized menus may result in additional charges.

Additional fees include staffing, 15% Administrative Fee, Sales Tax, TULIP insurance and any rental items you may choose to add. Additional time in the house may be purchased, should you wish to extend the time of your event beyond the menu allotted time.

Princeton University values the safety and protection of minors involved in any capacity in the University community. Under the Policy for Programs Involving Minors, all programs involving minors (non-matriculated individuals who are under 18 years old), both Covered and Non-Covered must be registered, please click on this link for additional information. 

Any outside group or personal event wishing to use a portion of Prospect House must meet the following food and beverage minimums: $5,000 for the Garden Room, and $1,000 for each first- and second-floor room. Other events may be scheduled concurrently. Additional food and beverage minimums may apply for events held on Saturdays or Sundays.

For full access to Prospect House on a Saturday or Sunday, including the Garden Room, a $7,500 food and beverage minimum is required. This ensures exclusive use of the venue, with no other events booked at the same time.

All events are subject to a 15% Administrative Fee and staffing charges.  Staffing charges are based on the menu type, guest count and the number of staff to successfully execute your event.

The administrative and staffing charges are for the administration of staff and management oversight for the function and are not purported to be a tip or gratuity and will not be distributed as a tip or gratuity to the employees who provided service to guests.

Overtime is charged at a rate of $400 per hour (plus additional staffing charges) if requested at least 2 business days prior to the scheduled event. The rate is $600 per hour if requested less than 2 business days and must be paid at the conclusion of the event.

Prospect House has tables, chairs, standard linen and hour house China, glassware, and flatware. If you'd like to create a different aesthetic, optional rentals are available for an additional charge.

Due to the historic significance of Prospect House, its furnishings and grounds, great efforts 
are taken to preserve the house and its surroundings. Event sponsors will be responsible 
for any damages that are the result of willful and negligent behavior on the part of their guests. Event sponsors are responsible to collect all belongings at the end of their affair. Prospect House is not responsible for lost, stolen or items left behind.

Due to local health code restrictions, under no circumstances are clients allowed to bring 
food in or take remaining food to go. Prospect House is a smoke‐free facility.

The following materials are strictly prohibited at Prospect House and on all Princeton University property:

• Rice, rose petals & bird seed
• Candles or any open flame, only battery-operated candles are allowed.
• Confetti & glitter 
• Smoke machines & dry ice
• Sparklers or fireworks of any kind
• Items affixed to wall
• Pets (inside only, unless official guide or therapy dog) The use of platforms and tents is strictly prohibited

Members: The liquor license held by Princeton University at Prospect House only permits the sale of alcoholic beverages to Members holding events at Prospect House and who must purchase the liquor from Prospect House

Non-members: The Prospect House liquor license does not permit the sale of alcoholic beverages to non-members. Therefore, Users that want to bring in their own alcoholic beverages may do so only with prior written permission from the University and only if the following criteria are met: 

• Only wine and beer can be served. (only 750 ml bottles of wine and beer in bottles or cans will be accepted).
• The wine and beer must be purchased from an approved New Jersey liquor vendor
• The wine and beer must be served by Prospect House/Palmer House staff
• The Event must be a private event, and the invitation must clearly state that the event is not a public event
• No payment is received from the guests (i.e. alcohol beverages are not sold).

If approved by RA and the criteria is met, Users must coordinate with the University and make sure that the wine and beer is delivered by the liquor vendor directly to the Event location not more than one day prior to the Event and with adequate proof of purchase. In addition, Users are responsible for removing any unused liquor at the conclusion of the Event. Any alcoholic beverages left after the end of the Event will be disposed of by the University.

Alcoholic beverages will be refused to any guests who are not of legal drinking age, and to guests who are not able to provide age identification or appear to be intoxicated.

Princeton University requires Prospect House and Palmer House events held by individual faculty, staff, or alumni that each event sponsor has a general liability insurance policy ("event coverage") to protect the event sponsor and Princeton University against claims by third parties who may be injured while participating in the event on the Princeton University campus.  Additionally, if alcohol is served during the event, alcohol liability coverage is also required.

The beautiful Gardens of Prospect House are a delight for all who visit the campus. Our primary responsibility is to provide a garden floral display that can be enjoyed by the University community and visitors to the campus. In order to maintain the exquisite,appearance of the Gardens, please note the following restrictions: 

• The lower gardens may not be used for ceremonies of any kind
• The lower gardens may be used for picture taking purposes only
• Ceremonies may be performed in the Rose Garden
• The use of platforms and tents is strictly prohibited

Lot 10 and Lot 13 (off of William Street) are available after 4:00 p.m. on weekdays and any time on weekends. It is approximately a 5-minute walk between the parking lots and Prospect House. 

Campus access for shuttles must be arranged through the University’s Transportation & Parking Services at 609.258.8300. Shuttles accommodating 23 passengers or less are permitted access to central campus for drop-off and pick-up of guests. Please be advised that shuttles do not fit through the entrance gate to Prospect House and will need to drop off and pick up guests via Firestone/ Chapel Circle.

Permitted vendors may unload/pick-up at Prospect Circle with a 30-minute limit. Vendors must park in Lots 10 and 13 between unloading and picking up materials. Please make sure your vendors are aware that it may take up to 20 minutes to park and walk back to, Prospect House.