Meeting and Event Center Opens

It was a day years in the making, but the Meeting and Event Center in the old Carriage House at the Carriage House Inn Bed and Breakfast in historic Daniels Hill in downtown Lynchburg finally took place. Mayor Joan Foster and Vice Mayor Bert Dodson assisted innkeepers Kathy and Michael Bedsworth with the ribbon cutting officially opening Lynchburg’s newest event venue on 27 October 2009.

The Meeting and Event Center encompasses the lower level of the carriage house and totals about 1300 square feet. The largest meeting room in the new facility is where the carriages and later automobiles were housed. The old stables were converted into a lobby and smaller conference room or breakout room. The old coal storage area and tack rooms now house the refreshment/beverage center, powder rooms and caterer’s kitchen.

During the construction process, the main focus on the final product was to create a multi-purpose space while keeping the integrity and character of the building. To that extent, the original tongue and grove ceiling in the meeting areas was preserved, antique lighting fixtures were installed and wood salvaged from the stables was used as wainscoting in the smaller conference/breakout room. Electrical outlets are spaced ever three to four and 15 data points were installed in the space. A 55 inch LCD screen allows speakers or trainers to show their presentations in brilliant color.

The main room can be set up theater style, classroom style, banquet style or U shaped depending on the nature of the event. This is the ideal space for local businesses to have meetings training sessions or conduct budget or strategic planning meetings. Likewise the community could use the space for bridal or baby showers, small weddings, birthday or anniversary parties. In the future wine and beer tastings, chocolate tastings and a host of other events will also be held here. Small weddings, elopement ceremonies, recommitment ceremonies and civil unions can also be held in this space.