PAFA - Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

Guest capacity

Up to 350 seated guests

About this venue

The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts boasts two unique event spaces: The Historic Landmark Building houses the oldest art school and museum in the Country with world-renowned architecture by Furness & Hewitt. Featuring classic Victorian Gothic details, the ambiance of this memorable space offers unique entertaining locations for intimate and large groups. The Hamilton Building is an expansive turn-of the century car showroom that has found new life, reinvented as a modern gallery space with views of downtown and direct proximity to the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The Hamilton Building offers the unique opportunity to dine among our rotating exhibitions.

Seated guest capacity

  • 10-350

Venue type

  • Museums, Galleries
  • Urban Locations

Venue setting

  • Indoor
  • Outdoor
128 N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19102

Our event spaces

All Galleries (Hamilton Building)

Put a modern spin on your event: three galleries surround an exposed staircase, creating long sightlines with views overlooking Broad Street.

The Hamilton Building (HAM) is a lovely space from the early 1900s that has been renovated to be very chic and fresh; it has lots of white columns and floor to ceiling windows that overlook Broad Street.

Guest capacity

Up to 200 Seated

Up to 1000 Standing

Tuttleman (Hamilton Building)

A stunning modern yet elegant space provides the perfect backdrop for cocktail receptions and ceremonies.

Featuring floor to Ceiling windows that provide your guests with sunning views of Broad Street day or night, The Tuttleman Gallery is a sophisticated, yet versatile space fit for every bride's modern-chic vision board.

Guest capacity

Up to 180 Seated

Up to 300 Standing

Guests often feel this space is

“Luxurious and chic”

Annenberg (Hamilton Building)

Dance the night away in this beautiful modern art exhibit.

The perfect space for a reception, the Annenberg Gallery provides an elegant backdrop with ample room for dinner and dancing.

Guest capacity

Up to 350 Seated

Up to 400 Standing

Lenfest Plaza

A charming outdoor event space surrounded by PAFA's architecture; a talking point for all guests.

Located between PAFA's Historic Landmark and Samuel M.V. Hamilton buildings, the plaza was constructed in 2011 and is open year-round. It features a three-part serpentine bench, mosaic pavers, plantings, and rotating works of emerging and established artists in an urban setting.

Guest capacity

Up to 300 Seated

Up to 1000 Standing

Rotunda (Historic Landmark)

Versatile beauty with sunning architecture and historic works of art present a perfect backdrop for your Ceremony or Reception.

With raised ceilings, intricate detailed columns, and dozens of luminous sky lights, this space captures the essence of art history.

Guest capacity

Up to 200 Seated

Up to 350 Standing

Ideal for

Wedding ceremony, Wedding reception, Rehearsal dinner, Wedding shower, Cocktail hour

Cast Hall (Historic Landmark)

A one-of-a-kind photo opportunity landscaped with casts of the artworks from ancient Rome and Italy.

Located on the first floor of our Historic Landmark Building, this area is perfect for bridal party photos, Ketubah signings, and many other intimate celebrations.

Guest capacity

Up to 50 Seated

Up to 100 Standing

Square footage

2,500

Washington Foyer (Historic Landmark)

A timeless, classic, and breathtaking entry for your wedding.

A perfect location for jaw-dropping ceremony photos, surrounded by multiple exhibits to delight and intrigue your guests during cocktail hour.

Guest capacity

Up to 0 Seated

Up to 200 Standing

Gallery Level (Historic Landmark)

The Historic Landmark Building is a stunning piece of American architecture with stone columns, deep navy and reds, with gilded gold finishes.

Built in 1876, PAFA’s Historic Landmark Building is considered one of the finest surviving examples of Victorian Gothic architecture in America. No shortage of breathtaking photo opportunity from the spectacularly ornamented Grand Stairhall to welcome your guests, to galleries with gothic arches and vaulted ceilings to enjoy throughout the evening.

Guest capacity

Up to 150 Seated

Up to 500 Standing

Square footage

6,430

All Galleries (Hamilton Building)

Put a modern spin on your event: three galleries surround an exposed staircase, creating long sightlines with views overlooking Broad Street.

The Hamilton Building (HAM) is a lovely space from the early 1900s that has been renovated to be very chic and fresh; it has lots of white columns and floor to ceiling windows that overlook Broad Street.

Guest capacity

Up to 200 Seated

Up to 1000 Standing

Tuttleman (Hamilton Building)

A stunning modern yet elegant space provides the perfect backdrop for cocktail receptions and ceremonies.

Featuring floor to Ceiling windows that provide your guests with sunning views of Broad Street day or night, The Tuttleman Gallery is a sophisticated, yet versatile space fit for every bride's modern-chic vision board.

Guest capacity

Up to 180 Seated

Up to 300 Standing

Guests often feel this space is

“Luxurious and chic”

Annenberg (Hamilton Building)

Dance the night away in this beautiful modern art exhibit.

The perfect space for a reception, the Annenberg Gallery provides an elegant backdrop with ample room for dinner and dancing.

Guest capacity

Up to 350 Seated

Up to 400 Standing

Lenfest Plaza

A charming outdoor event space surrounded by PAFA's architecture; a talking point for all guests.

Located between PAFA's Historic Landmark and Samuel M.V. Hamilton buildings, the plaza was constructed in 2011 and is open year-round. It features a three-part serpentine bench, mosaic pavers, plantings, and rotating works of emerging and established artists in an urban setting.

Guest capacity

Up to 300 Seated

Up to 1000 Standing

Rotunda (Historic Landmark)

Versatile beauty with sunning architecture and historic works of art present a perfect backdrop for your Ceremony or Reception.

With raised ceilings, intricate detailed columns, and dozens of luminous sky lights, this space captures the essence of art history.

Guest capacity

Up to 200 Seated

Up to 350 Standing

Ideal for

Wedding ceremony, Wedding reception, Rehearsal dinner, Wedding shower, Cocktail hour

Cast Hall (Historic Landmark)

A one-of-a-kind photo opportunity landscaped with casts of the artworks from ancient Rome and Italy.

Located on the first floor of our Historic Landmark Building, this area is perfect for bridal party photos, Ketubah signings, and many other intimate celebrations.

Guest capacity

Up to 50 Seated

Up to 100 Standing

Square footage

2,500

Washington Foyer (Historic Landmark)

A timeless, classic, and breathtaking entry for your wedding.

A perfect location for jaw-dropping ceremony photos, surrounded by multiple exhibits to delight and intrigue your guests during cocktail hour.

Guest capacity

Up to 0 Seated

Up to 200 Standing

Gallery Level (Historic Landmark)

The Historic Landmark Building is a stunning piece of American architecture with stone columns, deep navy and reds, with gilded gold finishes.

Built in 1876, PAFA’s Historic Landmark Building is considered one of the finest surviving examples of Victorian Gothic architecture in America. No shortage of breathtaking photo opportunity from the spectacularly ornamented Grand Stairhall to welcome your guests, to galleries with gothic arches and vaulted ceilings to enjoy throughout the evening.

Guest capacity

Up to 150 Seated

Up to 500 Standing

Square footage

6,430

Available services that can be provided by PAFA - Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

Services & amenities

  • Bar services
  • Catering services
  • Clean up
  • Dressing room / Bridal Suite
  • Event rentals
  • Event staff
  • Liability insurance
  • Service staff
  • Set up
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Wifi

Transportation & access

  • Self parking - paid
  • Wheelchair accessible

Rentals

  • Barware
  • Chiavari Chairs
  • China
  • Flatware
  • Glassware
  • Linens
  • Standard Chairs

Reviews

Write a review
Rating: 5.0

5.0 out of 5

1 review

  • BF

    Becky- RAM FLORAL

    Rating: 5
    •Zola
    •Jul 6, 2020

    THE Best

    As a vendor in the industry, I work in dozens if not hundreds of venues every year. Working with the team at PAFA is always a highlight for us. Their expectation and communication is clear. Their clients love them and in turn you can tell they feel the same. The venue is one of a kind.... truly magical. Their offering, care, attention and heart are all obvious in working with the PAFA team.

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The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is the first art museum in the country and has two lovely buildings, each able to host your ceremony, cocktail hour, and/or reception in one or both buildings depending on your wedding guest count, aesthetic, and vision.
The Historic Landmark Building (HLB) is a stunning piece of American architecture with stone columns, deep navy and reds, with gilded gold finishes. The Hamilton Building (HAM) is a lovely space from the early 1900s that has been renovated to be very chic and fresh; it has lots of white columns and floor to ceiling windows that overlook Broad Street.
Yes! Specifically designed for couples who want a one-of-a-kind wedding experience with jaw-dropping backgrounds in lieu of a large celebration. In partnership with some of our favorite vendors, PAFA is offering couples one of three uniquely created packages to fit every vision and budget. Contact us for more information!
Your cocktail hour and reception are included in your 5-hour rental. In addition, event security, housekeeping, our collection of in-house tables and gold Chiavari chairs, and a venue coordinator to assist during planning and on the day of the event are available.
We have a list of preferred vendors that do a fabulous job in the museum and are highly recommended. We are also happy to give advice on vendors we love, just ask!
Constellation Culinary Group and 12th Street Catering are PAFA's exclusive catering partners. They both do a fantastic job and have a dedicated PAFA sales managers. Each varies in price, kitchen style, and personality. Both menus are diverse and have a wide range of options, everything is customized. Full catering packages include everything you'll need for an amazing experience!
Yes, you may bring in a cake from an outside vendor. Both catering teams offer a number of dessert displays and options, but depending on your vision we know fantastic bakers who create cakes as delicious as they are beautiful.
Follow us on social media! More photo inspiration can be found on our @PAFA_Weddings Instagram account.
We would love to have you! Reach out to us via Zola to schedule your tour!

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