Party at Gilbert House

2022 & 2023 & 2024 & 2025

The Official Community Choice Awards, Best of the Mid-Valley

Best Birthday Party Venue

A row of five gourmet birthday cupcakes featuring chocolate and vanilla cake with thick white frosting, topped with colorful star-shaped sprinkles and individual "Happy Birthday" candles.

At the Gilbert House Children’s Museum, we transform birthday dreams into a day of boundless fun, discovery, and cherished memories. Forget the stress of hosting; we handle the facility so you can focus on the joy. The best part? You don't have to worry about guests running through your house or scrubbing cake out of your own carpet. By hosting at the Museum, the party energy stays in the party room, and your home stays exactly the way you left it.

Our unique Wilson-Durbin House offers a bright, spacious private party room with lovely views overlooking the Willamette River. It’s the perfect home base for your celebration—just steps away from all the museum’s exciting exhibits!

We’ve made the wrap-up fast and easy. Unlike the long cleanup you’d face at home, tidying here is a breeze—a quick wipe of the tables, bagging the trash, and a simple sweep of the floor, and you’re headed home with a happy birthday child.

Focus on the joy, not the chores. Reclaim your seat at the table and capture every "wow" moment. When the party ends, you walk away with the memories, and we’ll handle the rest!

Three young girls wearing balloon party hats sit at a decorated table with party plates, cups, and colorful balloons. The room is filled with festive party decor for a private museum celebration.

Why Choose Gilbert House for Your Celebration?

  • Your party includes all-day museum admission for all your guests! Explore our interactive exhibits, sparking curiosity and extending the fun long after the candles are blown out.

  • Enjoy 2 hours in your own dedicated party room – the perfect spot for cake, gifts, and gathering with friends and family. We provide tables, chairs, and tablecloths.

  • We set you up with essentials, including access to a refrigerator/freezer for your treats. Just bring your food, decorations, and utensils, and let the celebration begin!

  • Give the gift of play and learning in an inspiring environment, creating truly unforgettable moments for your birthday star and their friends.

What's Included:

  • Exclusive 2-hour rental of the Wilson-Durbin House (includes your setup & cleanup time).

  • All-day museum admission for the birthday child, 2 party hosts, and up to 25 guests.

  • Tables, chairs, tablecloths, and access to a refrigerator/freezer.

  • Additional guests (up to 10 more) can be added.

A young girl in a pink flower print dress and a rainbow striped party hat points excitedly. A "Happy Birthday" sign and a balloon-print tablecloth are visible in the background.

Birthday Information Request

Use this form to request birthday party information. It does NOT book your party or guarantee any dates or times.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime.
Please Contact: Membership Coordinator at (503) 371-3631 or membership@acgilbert.org

Planning, Booking & Pricing

  • Birthday party room rentals are available on Saturdays and Sundays only. You can choose from two specific time slots: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM or 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM. Please note that these 2-hour slots are inclusive of your setup and cleanup time. 

  • Yes! Museum admission is included for the entire day, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Even if your room rental is in the afternoon, your guests are welcome to arrive when the museum opens to start playing. 

  • The basic event fee is $350 for Members and $400 for Non-Members. The full balance is due at the time of booking. Any additional guests beyond the included 25 will be charged at our general group admission rate ($14.00, or $12.00 for military/seniors) on the day of the event. 

  • A $75.00 portion of your party fee is strictly non-refundable. If you provide at least 3 days' notice, you will receive a 50% refund (minus the $75 deposit). No refunds are issued with less than 3 days' notice. If the museum closes unexpectedly, you may choose a full refund or to reschedule. 

  • We’d love to help you extend the fun! You can add 30-minute blocks before or after your scheduled event for $60 per half hour. To ensure we have the staffing and space ready for you, please finalize any time additions at least 7 days prior to your event.

Guests, Lists & Memberships

  • The party package includes up to 25 guests (this count includes both adults and children aged 1 and older). The birthday child and up to 2 party hosts/accompanying adults are not included in the 25-guest count. You may have a maximum of 10 additional guests beyond the initial 25 for an extra fee. 

  • We strongly recommend providing a final guest list 7 days prior to your party. This ensures you are only paying for the guests you intended to join you in the party room and do not have to worry about going over your total allowed guest count. All guests entering the room must be on this list and paid for. 

  • Existing Gilbert House memberships do not apply to birthday party guest admission. If a guest wishes to use their personal membership for museum entry, they are welcome to play in the museum exhibits, but they must not enter the party room. 

  • If children are dropped off without an adult, a host must meet them at the Welcome Desk for the "hand-over" and to coordinate pickup. These children will receive a second wristband that must be returned to the desk at pick-up. The host is responsible for the supervision of all dropped-off children. 

What’s Included & Logistics

  • Your rental includes 2-hour exclusive use of the Wilson-Durbin House, all-day museum admission for your group, 5 tables, 28 chairs, and 5 tablecloths. You also have full access to a refrigerator/freezer for your cake and snacks. 

  • You are responsible for providing all food, drinks, decorations, and utensils. Please remember to use only painter’s tape for hanging any decorations to protect our historic walls. 

  • Yes! You can have food delivered (though late delivery won't extend your room time). While on-site cooking is not allowed, you are welcome to bring a crock pot to keep food warm. 

Safety & Museum Rules

  • Yes. To ensure everyone’s safety, we require a minimum of one adult for every five children at the party. 

  • Yes. The Emergency Exit door to Water St. must remain closed at all times. If it is used as a regular entrance or exit, a $25.00 fee will be charged to the host. 

  • All guests must follow our "How We Play" rules. This means no rough play, offensive language, or damaging exhibits. For the safety of our visitors, hazardous materials and smoking/vaping are strictly prohibited. Groups that do not follow these rules may be asked to leave. 

  • Parking is in a public lot and is not guaranteed. However, you can reserve a temporary loading spot in advance to make unloading your decorations and food easier! 

A large, light-blue number "6" candle stands lit in the center of a textured brown birthday cake decorated with delicate white icing flowers. A young girl with light brown hair is visible in the soft-focus background, looking at the cake.

Your Home for Every Celebration…

Aerial view of the Gilbert House Children's Museum campus in Salem, Oregon, showcasing the historic Victorian houses, the massive Erector Set Maze outdoor play structure, and its location adjacent to the Willamette River and Riverfront Park.

The Full Museum Experience

Enjoy exclusive private access for up to 100 guests. Base rental fee is $1200.

  • The Venue: Private use of the Wilson-Durbin House, the Gilbert House, and the famous Bill’s Bubble Factory.

  • The Great Outdoors: Full access to our Outdoor Discovery Area.

  • Host Perks: Full refrigerator and freezer access for your food and beverages.

  • Community Partnership Rate: A 10% discount is available for all non-profit organizations and Gilbert House Members.

Campus montage: Rockenfield House, Gilbert House, Bill's Bubble Factory, Parrish House, & Nature's Workshop aerial view.

Customize Your Occasion

Looking for a little something extra? Enhance your event with these add-ons:

  • The Rockenfield House: Expand your party footprint for an additional $150.

  • The Creative Touch: Add an Arts & Crafts experience in the Parrish House, led by our talented staff, for $150.

  • Larger Gatherings: Have a big guest list? Add 25 additional guests for $250 (Maximum capacity of 250 guests).

Evening rental guests mingling on the outdoor patio near the historic Victorian houses and gardens.
Elsa and Anna characters interact with toddlers in a blue foam block play area during a private museum rental.
A graduate swings at a star piñata in the museum gazebo during a private evening graduation party.
Evening rental guests mingling in the bubble factory to celebrate the completion of new museum mural work.
Evening view of the internship showcase event in the Outdoor Discovery Area at sunset.
Graduates celebrate by tossing papers in the air during an evening party in the Outdoor Discovery Area.
Catered outdoor buffet for the internship reception celebrating student creative work and mural designs.
Guests at the evening internship reception admiring a vibrant nature mural in the Outdoor Discovery Area.
Cinderella, Belle, and the Fairy Godmother characters in full costume for a private Storybook Adventure rental.
A graduate hangs up a star piñata in the museum gazebo during a private evening graduation party.
Pete the Cat mascot interacts with a toddler in a Minnie Mouse dress during a private themed museum rental.
Two men dressed as dwarf characters from Snow White pose at a themed Storybook Adventure family event.
A high school graduate poses by the Erector Set Maze during a private evening rental at the museum.
A man shows a Storybook Adventure guidebook to a toddler in a Minnie Mouse costume at a private family event.
Multi-generational guests gathering at the museum to view the interns' large-scale mural installations.
Close-up of graduates with their course work during a creative graduation celebration.
A princess character in pink smiles at a young girl holding a green dinosaur plush toy at a museum celebration.
The Mad Hatter character in a pink wig and top hat poses at the museum cafe counter during a themed party.
Children and adults at an outdoor playground with colorful surfacing, a large spinning teacup ride, and costumed characters, with houses in the background.
Clifford the Big Red Dog and Waldo greet families at the museum entrance during a Storybook Adventure rental.
Friends review course work spread across the floor during an evening museum rental.
A child in a black and gold ninja costume reads an adventure map during a costume-themed private event.
Pete the Cat mascot greets families near the Parrish House entrance during a themed evening rental.
A man dressed as a dwarf character from Snow White walks with a lantern through the museum campus.
Two graduates laugh while lying on the floor surrounded by graduation posters and party decorations.
An intern giving a presentation about their mural project to guests seated in the museum's outdoor gazebo.
A Princess and Wicked Witch character pose with a young guest at a themed Storybook Adventure evening event.
A father in a floral shirt carries his daughter, dressed as Belle, through the museum’s outdoor play area.
Two young girls and several children in the background, one girl dressed as a princess and the other in a black t-shirt with a dog graphic, standing outdoors on a sidewalk, holding ice cream treats.
Pete the Cat mascot helps a young girl in an Elsa dress with a museum scavenger hunt map outdoors.
A guest in a cow-print onesie walks with a chaperone during an evening Storybook Adventure rental.
The Little Mermaid character signs a guidebook for a girl in an Elsa dress during a themed evening party.

Booking Details

  • Duration: 2-hour private rental.

  • Availability: Reservations are required at least two weeks in advance. We recommend booking early to secure your preferred date!

  • Deposit: Secure your date today with a 50% deposit.

Ready to Book?

Our Membership Coordinator is ready to help you plan the perfect night.

Call: (503) 371-3631 ext. 209

Email: membership@acgilbert.org

Visit Us: 116 Marion St. NE, Salem, OR 97301