Cope House Rental

The Cope House mansion, built in 1860, offers a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. It’s the perfect getaway for your meeting, memorial service, lecture, retreat, party, or gala.  The venue is surrounded by a natural habitat that enhances its historic charm, including lush, colorful gardens filled with native plants and tall trees. Guests can immerse themselves in the restorative power of nature and reflect on the beauty of life’s simple pleasures. 

Your event at Awbury supports its mission to connect our community with nature and history. 

The Cope House address is 1 Awbury Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19138.

Click to scroll through pictures of the Cope House

The historic Cope House features high ceilings and walk-out windows that open onto a wrap-around porch, multiple elegant parlors, landscaped gardens, and a seasonal tented bluestone patio. 

 Amenities include indoor and outdoor meeting space as well as ample space for breakout sessions and socializing.  Nearby, winding trails invite guests to stroll through the peaceful landscape further immersing themselves in the restorative power of nature.   

 Rental includes: 

  • The parlors, two connected rooms (720 sq ft)
  • Reception room (310 sq ft)
  • Tented patio (April-November) (2,400 sq ft)
  • Foyer
  • Prep Kitchen
  • Restrooms

Interested in booking?

Contact rentals@awbury.org today to inquire about availability!

Rental FAQ's

Availability & Capacity

The Cope House is available for public rental on weekdays (Mondays-Thursdays) during both the daytime and evening. The weekday capacity for The Cope House is 50 people.

  • Weekday lunch session: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
  • Weekday full day: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Weeknight: 4:00 – 10:00 PM

Interested in weekends or an event with more than 50 people? Please contact Peachtree Catering for full service event management. 

Venue Pricing

Access the pricing menu here!

Please note: Neighbors living within one mile and nonprofits: 25% discount   

Additional $200 Security Deposit 

Make a reservation

(1) Inquire: Reach out to rentals@awbury.org to inquire about specific dates and availability 

(2) Book: The Awbury Rental Coordinator will email you a Cope House rental contract form. Complete and submit the form, including payment.  You may either pay the deposit, or the full balance + deposit. 

(3) Pay Balance: Your total balance-which includes the venue fee, any rental furniture fees, and fee if working with a nonpreferred band/DJ-is due one month before your event.

Additional Rental Items

The Cope House rooms are generally empty of furniture and require setup/cleanup, with flexibility for your group to set an arrangement that best suits your event.

Awbury owns an inventory of tables, chairs, and other items which you are welcome to rent:

  • White Resin Folding Chairs ($2/each)
  • 72”x30” rectangular tables ($5/each)
  • 60” round tables ($5/each)
  • Projector and screen ($150)
  • Easel ($15)
  • Podium ($15)

You may bring in additional furniture and equipment from outside vendors; please arrange delivery with the Awbury staff.

Catering

If you would like to have a full-service catering experience, including staffing and on-site food arrangement, please contact our premier catering partner, Peachtree Catering. They provide personalized menus, planning support, and day-of-event management.  

If you are having food/beverage delivered or are bringing it yourself, you may work with any vendor.  For your convenience, we have assembled a list of excellent, local catering options:

  • Malelani: Greek-Mediterranean cuisine with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free items. (215) 766-2396
  • The Couch Tomato: Customizable artisan pizzas, fresh salads, paninis, and homemade hoagies, and deli salads, soups; Great variety of gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan (215) 483-2233.
  • Tipsy Catering: A variety of contemporary-style foods, fresh, healthy, never frozen. From executive meals to backyard BBQs. (215) 399-04042
  • Weavers Way Co-Op: Dozens of hot and cold entrees, made-to-order sandwiches, and salad and hot bar. (215) 866-9150

Parking

Awbury Arboretum offers free parking.  The lot adjacent to the Cope House accommodates up to about 8 cars.  Overflow parking for approximately 20 cars is also available on Station Road, a short walk from the Cope House, and there is also ample parking on the streets surrounding the Arboretum (Chew, Haines, and Ardleigh.)

Renters are welcome to hire a bus or shuttle service. If you choose this option, please notify the Awbury staff so they can coordinate with the vendor.  

Setup & Cleanup

The rental timeframe includes all setup and cleanup.   

Clients are responsible for their own setup and cleanup, including tables and chairs.  We will arrange for a staff person to be on-site during your event to welcome your team, direct you towards rented areas and items, and answer questions, but they are not responsible for setup or cleanup.    

Insurance

    • Alcohol: If you plan to serve alcohol, you must provide a certificate of event insurance, in the minimum amount of $1,000,000, naming Awbury Arboretum as additionally insured. 
    • Catering: If you are working with a caterer you must provide a copy of their certificate of liability insurance, in the minimum amount of $1,000,000, naming Awbury Arboretum as additionally insured. 
    • Commercial events: If you are using the Cope House for commercial purposes, we require copies of your certificates of insurance, with the following minimum coverages:

    General Liability: $1,000,000 occurrence/$2,000,000 aggregate, naming Awbury Arboretum as additionally insured

    – Automobile if driving a commercial vehicle on the premises: $1,000,000 

    – Automobile, if driving a non-commercial vehicle on the premises: $15,000/$30,000/$5,000 

    – Workers Compensation, if any employees will be on the premises: $500,000/$500,000/$500,000 

    Other Guidelines

    Amplified music

    • Because of its close proximity to neighbors, the Cope House requires limits on amplified music.
    • All bands and DJs must set up in the parlors, using Awbury’s professional-grade audio system.  Amplification under the tent or in porch areas must be kept at a background level. Awbury staff will have final control of the music volume. 
    • All music must end by 9 pm. 
    • We encourage all clients to work with our highly reviewed Preferred Music Vendors  who are comfortable and experienced with Awbury’s space and equipment. You may work with a band or DJ from outside of our list for an additional fee of $500. DJs or bands from outside of our list will be required to visit the venue in advance and sign an agreement outlining our regulations.  

    Decorations: Due to the historic nature of the house, the following items are prohibited 

    • Nails, staples, tape, or tacks in the walls.
    • Sparklers and open flame (except for birthday candles on a cake).
    • Glitter, flower petals, confetti.
    • Any decorations or event details that harm the landscape.
    • Art pieces are not to be altered or removed.
    • Please note: the fireplaces aren’t operational. 

    Cancellation policy

    • If you cancel your event more than 30 days out, Awbury will retain your security deposit and return any venue fee.
    • If you cancel your event within 30 days, the deposit and balance fee are nonrefundable.
    • Deposits and venue payments are non-transferable.

    Other

    • No smoking 
    • Cars may not drive or park on the grass and must park only in designated areas. Vehicles may not block the driveway. 
    • Awbury Arboretum is open to the public from dawn to dusk, and a large part of our mission to be an accessible green space.  While we make every effort to keep your event area private and safe, security is the responsibility of the client. The Awbury staff is not responsible for security. 

    Interested in booking?

    Contact rentals@awbury.org today to inquire about availability!