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Meet New England History

New England boasts some of the United States’ oldest history: ancient Native American tribes, French explorers and English settlers who arrived in the 1600s.

With such a long history, planners have a plethora of options for historic New England venues, including expansive, opulent mansions and community gathering places, private summer estates and elegant Victorian theaters.

Alden Castle

Brookline, Massachusetts

When Alden Park Manor opened in 1925 in the Boston suburb of Brookline, Massachusetts, it was the world’s second-largest luxury residence hotel. The complex featured high-end amenities and attracted famous residents such as Boston Red Sox general manager Eddie Collins and Babe Ruth, who could be found drinking or playing cards in a speakeasy in the basement.

Alden Castle, as it’s known today, still houses private residences, and its two public spaces continue to host events for big-name guests, including Sarah Jessica Parker, Stephen King, Jimmy Fallon and the Boston Celtics, said Nichole Wardle, director of sales and marketing for Longwood Venues and Destinations.

Alden Castle was Longwood Venues’ first private-event venue, and “now we have five properties in our collection and are growing,” she said. The space originally operated as a restaurant, but the current owner got so many requests for private parties, he decided to turn it into an event facility.

In the two-level Vintage Ballroom, the mezzanine is a good choice for cocktail hours, and the main floor can seat about 200 for dinner. The Modern Club, which features dark wood paneling and an intricately patterned ceiling, can seat about 100 for a meal.

www.longwoodvenues.com/venues/brookline-event-venue