A standout conference center, an entire town and a bucolic garden set the stage for laid-back gatherings in the scenic Brandywine Valley region.
Once reserved exclusively for government-related events and meetings, Buena Vista Conference Center, just south of Wilmington in New Castle, Del., is now available for general use. Built between 1845 and 1847 for U.S. Sen. and Secretary of State John M. Clayton, the Greek Revival Mansion and surrounding grounds provide a unique setting for meetings, conferences, retreats and special events.
Featuring antique furniture and artwork by some of Delaware’s finest artists, Buena Vista, accommodating groups from eight to 250, offers a variety of meeting rooms, modern communications capabilities and quality food service. The grounds are available for outdoor events.
Can an entire town serve as an offsite? Quaint Media, Pa. is made to measure for groups. Staging more than a dozen Broadway shows throughout the year, the vintage Media Theatre is an ideal venue for gatherings of up to 300 people. Afterward, attendees can explore the charming town. Featuring trolley service along its length, State Street is the center of the action, with two dozen restaurants, boutiques and more. From May into September, the street is closed to traffic every Wednesday and turned into the region’s biggest outdoor bistro, where visitors are invited to “dine under the stars.”
First established as a working farm in 1700, Longwood Gardens in Chester County is a horticultural showcase for the ages. Pierre du Pont, great grandson of Eleuthere Irenee du Pont, patriarch of the DuPont company, purchased the property in 1906 and began developing the natural paradise visitors find today. European influences abound at this 1,050-acre Eden, which features 20 outdoor gardens and spectacular illuminated fountains and fireworks. Built in 1919, the four-acre conservatory is one of the world’s great greenhouses, housing 20 different gardens with 5,500 types of plants. After-hours, Longwood transforms into an ethereal event venue for meetings and social functions, with on-site catering featuring fresh, local fare.
