Facility Rentals

Dyer Observatory is an exceptional venue. We offer a main building for business events such as corporate functions, meetings, and dinner parties, a spacious covered patio for larger gatherings, and Murial’s Retreat, a 2,000-square-foot house perfect for corporate, educational, and private group retreats.

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

We regret we do not offer weddings at this time.

Facility Rentals

Main Building & Patio

facility rentals

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.

  • Dinner seating: 80 persons (8) 60″ round tables
  • Theater-style seating: 90 persons
  • Standing: 120 persons
Main Building Layout
facility rentals
  • facility rentals
  • facility rentals
  • facility rentals
facility rentals
facility rentals

Muriel's Retreat

facility rentals

The Dyer Observatory residence includes a great room, breakout room, and two handicap accessible restrooms. Amenities include a 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 is from Vanderbilt’s original observatory built on the main campus in the 1870s.

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.

The Residence is 2,000 sq. ft.

  • Standing: 50 persons (great room and deck)
  • Conference capacity: 20 persons
  • Theatre style capacity: 20 persons
facility rentals

Rental Request

For more information, please email your request to Helen Morisette or contact us at 615-373-4897. 

All site visits require an appointment.

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.