The Connors Center

Event Types Welcomed
Adult Social Events | Corporate Social Events | Family Reunions | Professional Meeting/Training/Conference/Retreats | Wedding Ceremonies | Wedding Receptions | Youth Retreat/CampsMaximum
Capacity:200
Capacity:200
On-Site
Spaces:12
Spaces:12
Maximum
Overnight:100
Overnight:100
About
About The Connors Center
A fully-restored, turn-of-the-twentieth-century mansion set on a bucolic 80 acres, Boston College's Connors Center offers the charms of an old-fashioned estate with the amenities of a modern Dover, Massachusetts conference facility--all less than 20 miles from downtown Boston. With more than 50,000 square feet of event and meeting space boasting both the flexibility and amenities of a premier conference center, the Connors Center provides the perfect backdrop for meetings, conferences, weddings, corporate outings, retreats, and social functions. No function is complete without food service, and the Connors Center provides world-class, on-site dining options with custom created menus that are sure to meet your individual needs and impress your guests.
The venue features a dedicated staff available to support you every step of the way while planning your meeting, conference or social event and provides amenities and resources that include an on-site professional event coordinator, access to wireless internet, guest services, a hospitality suite for visitors, and free parking. As a premier conference center, The Connors Center also provides guests with access to state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment for meetings such as LCD projectors, projector screens, easels, and lectern with microphone in several select meeting rooms.

The venue features a dedicated staff available to support you every step of the way while planning your meeting, conference or social event and provides amenities and resources that include an on-site professional event coordinator, access to wireless internet, guest services, a hospitality suite for visitors, and free parking. As a premier conference center, The Connors Center also provides guests with access to state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment for meetings such as LCD projectors, projector screens, easels, and lectern with microphone in several select meeting rooms.
View a panoramic tour of the grounds

LOCATION + TRANSPORTATION
Boston - 20
Worcester - 30
Providence - 36
:
Logan International - 45 minutes
Taxi | Lyft | Uber
Onsite: Yes Free
CATERING
The Connors Center has exceptional catering services available for all events. Whether you are seeking a casual meal, a plated dinner, or a New England Clambake, our staff will present you with a fabulous dining experience.Must Use In-House Catering

Cultural Catering

Venue Hosted Alcohol Permitted

AMENITIES + UNIQUE EXPERIENCES
MEETING + EVENT SPACE CAPACITIES
200 Attendees
12 Spaces
:
Theatre Style 160 | Classroom Style 75 | Standing Reception 200 | Seated Reception 160
TECHNOLOGY
The Connors Center offers complimentary wireless internet access; built-in audiovisual systems in select meeting rooms; computer stations and a fax, printer, and copier available to all guests.Yes
Free




RENTAL POLICIES
Alcohol Consumption
OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS
100 Overnight Guests
Suite/Apt Style | Residence Halls
Yes
Free

Private and Communal
Accommodations
Accommodations
100
Total Number of
Overnight Guests
Overnight Guests
Accommodation Types
| Hotel-Like | 6 rooms | 6 beds
This accommodation has A/C

| Hotel-Like | 21 rooms | 21 beds
This accommodation has A/C

| Residence Halls | 36 rooms | 66 beds
| Residence Halls | 10 rooms | 20 beds
Amenities + Unique Experiences
AMENITIES
Amenities
Business Services
Fitness Center
Hair Dryer
Hiking
Iron
LCD Projectors
Meditation
Microphones
Outdoor Event/Meeting Space
Outdoor Tent
Overnight Accommodations
Parking On-Site
Projector Screen
Running
Sound System
Television
Wi-Fi
Unique Experiences
Located in the bucolic town of Dover, Massachusetts, the center’s 80-acre estate offers an unforgettable environment for a variety of events. The 50,000 square-foot facility, with architecturally stunning rooms, outdoor terraces, walking trails and gardens, offers space to reflect and renew.Grounds at the Connors Center are unmatched. St. Cecilia’s Garden is the plein-air, picturesque centerpiece of the Connors Center. Originally designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, landscape designers of New York’s Central Park, the garden features a natural stone staircase leading to a birch tree grove lined with fragrant flower beds.
With wooded walking trails, walking paths along the Charles River, formal gardens, and comfortable sitting areas, the Connors Center grounds provide an exceptional setting for your event.
Event Spaces
Meeting and Event Spaces
Max Capacities
200
Overall
75
Classroom
Style
Style
200
Standing
Reception
Reception
160
Seated
Catered Event
Catered Event
Meeting + Event Spaces
| 57' x 31' SQ FT | 150 Banquet Style | 48 Hollow Square Space Style | 42 Open-U Style | image
The Estate Room, located off the main foyer, provides a light-filled space with updated audio visual equipment for large meetings and conferences. meetings.
The Estate Room, located off the main foyer, provides a light-filled space with updated audio visual equipment for large meetings and conferences. meetings.
- Ideal for: Opening and closing plenary sessions, large sales meetings, academic symposiums, workshops and trainings, murder mystery dinners, karoke, movement activites, customer appreciation event, team-building dinners
- Amenities: Ceiling-mounted projector and screen, speakers, wireless handheld and lapel microphones, podium and wireless internet
| 38' x 23.5' SQ FT | 60 Banquet Style | 30 Hollow Square Space Style | 36 Open-U Style | image
This magnificent formal parlor features wood paneling, French doors, and a large fireplace. The Main Parlor can be combined with the Dover Parlor and Estate Room for larger receptions, and overlooks a terrace, which can accommodate outdoor receptions.
This magnificent formal parlor features wood paneling, French doors, and a large fireplace. The Main Parlor can be combined with the Dover Parlor and Estate Room for larger receptions, and overlooks a terrace, which can accommodate outdoor receptions.
- Ideal for: mid-size board meetings and retreats, sales meetings, conference breakout space, colliquias, team building activities, networking socials, scavenger hunt, book signings, dancing, group yoga
- Amenities: Ceiling-mounted screen and speakers, mobile LCD projector, wireless handheld and lapel microphones, podium and wireless internet
| 25' X 53' SQ FT | 40 Hollow Square Space Style | 36 Open-U Style | image
The Charles River Meeting Room offers fully modern amenities and traditional accents. The multipurpose space can be configured to serve a broad range of meeting needs.
The Charles River Meeting Room offers fully modern amenities and traditional accents. The multipurpose space can be configured to serve a broad range of meeting needs.
- Ideal for: meetings and conferences
- Amenities: Ceiling-mounted screen, mobile LCD projector and speakers, handheld and lapel microphones, podium and wireless internet.
| 25.5' X 19' SQ FT | 30 Banquet Style | 45 Conference Style | 18 Hollow Square Space Style | image
A grand carved mantle is the focal point of this elegant parlor. Standard furnishings include an upright piano and luxurious furniture. Larger receptions can overflow into a terrace and onto an outdoor patio.
A grand carved mantle is the focal point of this elegant parlor. Standard furnishings include an upright piano and luxurious furniture. Larger receptions can overflow into a terrace and onto an outdoor patio.
- Ideal for: board meetings and retreats, breakout space, vendor space
- Amenities: Mobile screen, speakers and LCD projector, podium and wireless internet
| 18' X 28' SQ FT | 40 Banquet Style | 16 Hollow Square Space Style | image
This bright and airy space features high ceilings and large doors that open onto the expansive grounds. With exceptional light and a cheery color palate, this room is an ideal setting for daytime and evening events.
This bright and airy space features high ceilings and large doors that open onto the expansive grounds. With exceptional light and a cheery color palate, this room is an ideal setting for daytime and evening events.
- Ideal for board meetings, breakout space, vendor space, social receptions and small dinners
- Amenities: Mobile screen, speakers and LCD projector, podium and wireless internet
| 29' X 16' SQ FT | 20 Conference Style | 16 Hollow Square Space Style | image
The Sun Parlor is ideal for meetings and as a breakout space. It offers a cozy take on the traditional meeting room.
The Sun Parlor is ideal for meetings and as a breakout space. It offers a cozy take on the traditional meeting room.
- Ideal for: board retreats
- Amenities: wall-mounted screen, cable TV and wireless internet
| 25' x 36' SQ FT | image
This modern room offers guests an opportunity to rest and relax on soft seating furniture. Many guests take advantage of the outdoor deck attached to the suite, as well as all the complimentary snacks and beverages.
This modern room offers guests an opportunity to rest and relax on soft seating furniture. Many guests take advantage of the outdoor deck attached to the suite, as well as all the complimentary snacks and beverages.
- Ideal for: breakout space team-building activities, evening receptions, casual gatherings, evening socials, game nights, active team building games
- Amenities: 24 hour complimentary snacks and beverages, wireless internet, cable TV, air hockey and foosball, board games
| 26.6' x 62.5' SQ FT | 80 Banquet Style | image
Whether dressed up with white linens for casual elegance or red-checkered tablecloths for a classic cookout, the Pavilion offers a covered, open-air reception space for outings.
Whether dressed up with white linens for casual elegance or red-checkered tablecloths for a classic cookout, the Pavilion offers a covered, open-air reception space for outings.
- Ideal for: barbecues, cocktail receptions, dinners
- Amenities: wireless internet, volleyball court, basketball court, large field with access to croquet, softballs, gloves and numerous outdoor games
| 142' x 53' SQ FT | image
The expansive Lower Garden affords plenty of space for a large reception tent, positioned adjacent to the archways and stone staircases that make the Connors Center truly distinctive.
The expansive Lower Garden affords plenty of space for a large reception tent, positioned adjacent to the archways and stone staircases that make the Connors Center truly distinctive.
- Ideal for: galas, large social functions, customer appreciation receptions
| 69' x58.5' SQ FT | image
Originally designed by Olmsted and Vaux, famed landscape designers of New York City’s Central Park, St. Cecilia’s Garden features beautiful fieldstone pathways and picturesque flower beds.
Originally designed by Olmsted and Vaux, famed landscape designers of New York City’s Central Park, St. Cecilia’s Garden features beautiful fieldstone pathways and picturesque flower beds.
- Ideal for: large team-building activities, scavenger hunts
| 73.5' x 10' SQ FT | image
Among the Center’s most distinctive outdoor spaces, the terraces, stone staircases, and archways lead visitors from the parlors down to the Lower Garden. The stone archways, meandering stone paths, and staircases offer picture-perfect reception spaces for events of any size and type.
Among the Center’s most distinctive outdoor spaces, the terraces, stone staircases, and archways lead visitors from the parlors down to the Lower Garden. The stone archways, meandering stone paths, and staircases offer picture-perfect reception spaces for events of any size and type.
- Ideal for: cocktail receptions
Food + Beverage
Food + Beverage
Availability



Catering
The Connors Center has exceptional catering services available for all events. Whether you are seeking a casual meal, a plated dinner, or a New England Clambake, our staff will present you with a fabulous dining experience.Dining Options
| Seating Capacity: 120
Located on the lower level, this cozy dining space provides guests with a country feel
Located on the lower level, this cozy dining space provides guests with a country feel
| Seating Capacity: 150
The Estate Room, which seats up to 150 guests, enjoys an abundance of natural light as well as unobstructed views of the lush woodlands beyond thanks to a floor-to-ceiling window.
The Estate Room, which seats up to 150 guests, enjoys an abundance of natural light as well as unobstructed views of the lush woodlands beyond thanks to a floor-to-ceiling window.
| Seating Capacity: 90
Our elegant main entrance has two formal parlors leading to outdoor terraces.
Our elegant main entrance has two formal parlors leading to outdoor terraces.
| Seating Capacity: 60
The perfect space for casual events and picnics. The pavillion is situated next to our recreation area.
The perfect space for casual events and picnics. The pavillion is situated next to our recreation area.
| Seating Capacity: 200
Set just in front of the main entrance, this space is ideal for formal events.
Set just in front of the main entrance, this space is ideal for formal events.
| Seating Capacity: 500
Situated in the back of the house, this tented space is surrounded by stone arch ways.
Situated in the back of the house, this tented space is surrounded by stone arch ways.
Location
Location + Transportation
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Nearby Airport
Logan International - 45 minutesNearby Cities
Boston - 20 miles | Worcester - 30 miles | Providence - 36Transportation + Parking
Nearby Attractions
Nearby Attractions
Nearby Attractions
| website
Less than 20 miles from The Connors Center, visitors can enjoy museums, attractions, restaurants, theaters, and more at this world-class city.
Less than 20 miles from The Connors Center, visitors can enjoy museums, attractions, restaurants, theaters, and more at this world-class city.
| website
Charming and thriving Wellesley Square is home to over hundred shops, eateries and local businesses.
Charming and thriving Wellesley Square is home to over hundred shops, eateries and local businesses.
| website
A network of well-maintained trails across a grand preserve that features woodlands, ponds, a former mill site and Noanet Peak, which offers views of the Boston Skyline.
A network of well-maintained trails across a grand preserve that features woodlands, ponds, a former mill site and Noanet Peak, which offers views of the Boston Skyline.
| website
An expansive retreat along Indian Brook and he Charles River. Well-groomed trails lead you through mature woodlands, open fields, streams, ponds, and marshland.
An expansive retreat along Indian Brook and he Charles River. Well-groomed trails lead you through mature woodlands, open fields, streams, ponds, and marshland.
Testimonials
Testimonials
“I wanted to send a note of thanks to the Connors Center’s support of our annual retreat. The Board did an enormous amount of work over the course of the 3 days at the Connors Center to set the Chapter up for success in the coming year. The work done at our retreats services our community so far beyond those days and it’s incredible to have the opportunity to work to work with such an amazing partner – that allowed for the entire board to focus on the matters at hand knowing all the logistical details were taken care of for us. I cannot say enough about the team. They were incredibly accommodating from the moment I walked in the door at 11am on Wednesday to the minute I departed at 2pm on Friday. Every care was taken to ensure we were able to focus on the business at hand and as the incoming President, this was a relief for me. The accommodations were very comfortable and inviting, the catering partners displayed their best efforts and the meeting space left nothing wanting."
“I have found the Connors Center in Dover, MA to be an extraordinarily beautiful venue to hold seminars in the Greater Boston suburban market. It is elegant and stately, but its amenities are offered at extremely attractive prices, considering its proximity to Boston. The staff is very accommodating and friendly, especially towards seminar guests as they arrive. The affiliation with Boston College lends an additional level of prestige to this venue. I highly recommend the Connors Center for meetings, retreats, seminars and other social functions in the Boston area.”
“In my nine years of involvement with my organization, there has not been a better meeting place than the Connors Center. Thank you for your hospitality, good food, and excellent accommodations. I hope we can return to the center for a future conference.”
The Connors Center is an incredible treasure for gathering, thinking, reflecting, and praying. The beauty of its facilities is beyond words. So is the quality of professional service on the part of the staff, from the time of envisioning an event to the moment when everyone says goodbye. Without a doubt, the Connors Center is my option number one for meetings and celebrations.
The Connors Center has been a home for our Institute program since 2010, they treat us like family and we continue to come back because of that strong relationship. They show tremendous care for each guest and an attention to every detail that makes our programing effortless. Their staff continually go above and beyond to meet our needs and provide the best experience possible.