Policies and Guidelines

We are excited to be hosting your event at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History.

The Sam Noble Museum is one of the largest and finest university-based museums in the world. We have over 12 million artifacts and specimens that represent Oklahoma’s history from prehistoric to modern times! Our event policies and guidelines assist us in protecting the integrity of our museum’s collections from both pests and damage. Please review our event guidelines below and share the information with your guests. If you have any questions, please contact us at (405) 325-7975 or email Reservations.SamNobleMuseum@ou.edu.

Food and Beverages:

Museum rental clients will choose from a list of selected approved caterers to use for events in the Museum. Museum rental clients are prohibited from bringing in any food, drinks, or alcoholic beverages; all goods must be delivered and removed by the caterer through the Loading Dock.

Food and drink are limited to the Great Hall, Foyer, Redbud Café, Oklahoma Rivers Landing, Pleistocene Plaza, Grand Plaza, Small Seminar Room, Woodlands and Plains Classrooms.

The Museum reserves the right to make exceptions to this rule at its own discretion.

Alcoholic Beverages:

Alcoholic beverages may be served only by a licensed liquor handler hired by the rental client. The serving of alcoholic beverages will comply with Oklahoma State Statutes. Alcoholic beverages will not be served to individuals under the age of 21. All alcoholic beverages must be brought into the Museum by an approved caterer; no alcoholic beverages may be brought into the Museum by the rental client or guests under any circumstances.

Decor:

All decor must be approved with the Museum Facility Rentals Coordinator prior to the event.

The following material are PROHIBITED from use on Museum property:

Corrugated cardboard
Organic materials, including but not limited to items such as feathers, unfinished wood and branches, bark, soil, sand, potpourri, rice, birdseed, oatmeal, straw, hay and mats or baskets woven of natural material
Highly flammable materials, including but not limited to lighting devices using open flame such as candles, lanterns, oil lamps, Sterno, and/or hurricane lamps.
Beads/bead-like materials, smoke/fog machines, crepe paper, tissue paper, helium balloons, paper ribbons, glitter, aerosols, spray glue, spray glitter, spray snow, spray string, spray paint, scented sprays, confetti
Any decorations, décor, posters, etc., that will be adhered or taped to any surface in the Museum must be approved BEFORE adherence by the Museum Facility Rentals Coordinator .

Flower and Plant Policies:

All flower and plants must be approved with the Museum Facility Rentals Coordinator prior to the event.

Flowers and plants (all flora) must originate from a professional florist. Flowers and plants used should be grown under strict environmental and pesticide controls, as to ensure the least likely event of insect transfer from the flower to the Museum. “Home grown” flowers and plants and those from greenhouses, garden centers, landscapers, backyards, or collected in the wild may not be used in arrangements.

Cancellation Policy:

An event cancellation must be submitted to theMuseum Facility Rentals Coordinator in writing.

All rental fees paid will be refunded if the cancellation is received more than sixty (60) days prior to the scheduled Use Period.
The deposit fee will be forfeited if the cancellation is received less than sixty (60) days but more than ten (10) days prior to the scheduled Use Period.
The deposit fee will be forfeited and the full rental fees due if the cancellation is received less than ten (10) days prior to the scheduled Use Period, or if the LESSEE fails to hold the event.
After a contract has been signed and a deposit paid, the Use Period may be rescheduled once without penalty. Any subsequent change in the Use Period will result in a penalty equal to one-half of the rental fee.

Please refer to the following documents for a full list of policies and procedures.

Facility Rental Policies for OU Clients

Facility Rental Policies for NON-OU Clients

Facility Rental Policies for Caterers