Rentals

Park-like grounds and celestial views make Dyer Observatory an exceptional venue for business events. The library, with its domed theater, is a perfect place for corporate functions, meetings, and dinner parties. A spacious covered patio provides an open area for larger gatherings.

Also on the grounds is Murial’s Retreat. Nestled among the trees, the 2,000-square-foot house offers a living room-sized meeting space, three breakout rooms, a fully-equipped kitchen, and a spacious outdoor deck and patio. The house is perfect for corporate, educational, and private group retreats. Please note that Murial’s Retreat is currently closed for renovation. Contact us for future available dates.

Both the Observatory ground floor and Muriel’s Retreat are wheelchair accessible.

For more information, please email your request to Helen Morisette or contact us at 615-373-4897. All site visits require an appointment.

We regret we do not offer wedding dates available at this time.

You may download our brochure here: PDF Dyer Rental Brochure

Main Observatory Building

Click on each link below for detailed layouts:

Observatory Layout

Patio Layout

The Observatory has a 24″ telescope and rare antique astronomical instruments. A beautiful domed library and access to spacious front and backyard plazas takes advantage of a secluded hilltop setting. The grounds can accommodate tents for large outdoor gatherings.

Indoor Observatory Capacity

• Dinner seating:   80 persons (8) 60″ round tables
• Theater-style seating:   90 persons
• Standing:    120 persons

Outdoor Observatory Capacity

• The observatory grounds are large enough to host 300 people with tenting and tables.
• Rear Brick Patio (Tent: 60’×50′; 10′ high on the sides; center is 22′ high)
• 300 persons standing
• 250 persons seated

Muriel’s Retreat – The Observatory Residence

Please note that Murial’s Retreat is currently closed for renovation. Contact us for future available dates.

The Dyer Observatory residence includes a great room, breakout rooms, and two handicap accessible restrooms. Amenities include a full kitchen for catering, wood-burning fireplace, an overlook deck in front, wonderful brick patio in rear, and firepit, all surrounded by amazing panoramic views. The telescope featured in the living area is from Vanderbilt’s original observatory built on the main campus in the 1870s.

The Residence is 2,000 sq. ft.

Residence Capacity (4 hour minimum)

Muriel’s Retreat was built as the residence for the original Observatory Director, Dr. Carl Seyfert, and his family in 1953. It is named in memory of Muriel Mussels Seyfert who was Carl’s wife as well as an accomplished astronomer, painter, and equestrienne.

Traditionally the observatory is closed December-February due to maintenance and the high probability of cancellations due to inclement weather. Dyer Observatory’s hilltop is a few degrees cooler than below, and even a slight shower that presents no problem in Brentwood, may make our road treacherous. If you’d like to schedule an event at Dyer knowing that you might need an alternative location if the weather turns inclement, we’d be happy to make arrangements.