The Centre Furnace Mansion is a unique place to host a private party, dinner or wedding reception. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Mansion has roots in the 18th century. Established in 1791, Centre Furnace was the pioneering charcoal iron furnace in what is now Centre County. In 1855, Centre Furnace Ironmaster James Irvin donated 200 acres of land to locate the newly chartered Farmers’ High School of Pennsylvania, now the Pennsylvania State University. The Mansion is the headquarters for the Centre County Historical Society. This historic “birthplace of Penn State” is only one mine downhill from Beaver Stadium. Located at the corner of East College Avenue and Porter Road, our location is easily accessible from State College, PSU Campus, Rt. 322 and I-99.
Facilities available for use at the Mansion include the Hearth Room (the lowest level), the gardens and grounds, a small modern kitchen, and two wheelchair-accessible restrooms. A CCHS docent may also be scheduled to give a tour of the Mansion to meeting or wedding guests.
Wedding Ceremonies and Receptions
The Hearth Room can accommodate approximately 25-30 people for a sit down lunch or dinner, or up to 40 for a standing reception. For larger affairs, a tent may be rented to hold the function outside on the grounds. Tents are generally situated in the parking lot to provide for accessibility.
The site offers several acres of beautifully landscaped grounds. There are period inspired gardens at the Mansion filled with hundreds of varieties of perennials, lilacs and roses. Our volunteer gardeners are passionate about what they do and tend to the gardens weekly from early spring through the fall. The grounds around the Mansion can accommodate up to 100 people. Wedding guests can stroll the gardens, relax in the shade of the trees or play games in the yard.
For receptions, catering and event rentals (tent, linens, dishes, utensils, generator or other equipment needed) is the responsibility of the renter. Please make arrangements to visit the site with your caterer or event planner well in advance.
Meetings
Local groups and non-profit organizations may use the Mansion for a meeting space for a modest fee. There are approximately 40 folding chairs and several folding tables available for use.
Special Events & Private Functions
Special events and private functions include events such as showers, teas, or socials. The Hearth Room can be used for a variety of purposes including a presentation area, buffet reception, sit down dinner for up to 30 guests, or stand-up reception. The upper porch and patio area (with or without a tent) makes a wonderful area for an afternoon tea or evening business social or for appetizers before moving indoors to the Hearth Room.
Availability and Reservations
The Mansion is open to the public for tours Wednesday, Friday and Sunday from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Reservations and associated set-up times should occur outside these hours. Please note that the Historical Society also hosts ongoing events and activities as well. Another consideration – we are located on the edge of the Penn State Campus, thus sporting and other events, and graduation ceremonies can significantly affect traffic patterns and access to the Mansion.
Reservations are taken on a first-come first-served basis. A reservation agreement should be signed immediately to officially reserve the space. For any private function, a $100 deposit is required when the agreement is signed. Due to the impact on the historic grounds and gardens, we can only accommodate up to about 10 wedding or large events per year.
If you would like to reserve space for an event, inquire about availability, or set up an appointment to see the property, call us at 814-234-4779. We will be happy to answer any questions you might have. We look forward to hearing from you!
A list of suggested vendors is available upon request.
