How The Pepin Mansion Became a Loved Bed and Breakfast in New Albany

 

There's a moment most guests describe the same way. They step into a historic 1851 mansion on New Albany’s Historic Mansion Row and notice the painted ceiling, original floors, and restored architectural details. 

 

The Pepin Mansion in New Albany, Indiana operates as a bed and breakfast and event venue in a restored 1851 historic property on Mansion Row minutes from Louisville, with four king suites featuring private baths and a fresh multi-course breakfast served each morning by innkeepers Brian and Mary. Indoor event capacity reaches 120 guests and the tented outdoor lawn accommodates up to 300, with an open catering vendor policy, BYO bar option saving up to 60 percent over standard bar packages, and optional Murder Mystery and Casino Night entertainment available for private events.

 

The Pepin Mansion was beautifully restored in 2013 and later grew into a wedding, event, and bed and breakfast destination near Louisville, KY. It is a natural fit for Derby season stays, weekend lodging, and groups who want historic accommodations near downtown Louisville. 

 

A Historic House That Actually Works for Modern Guests

 

The Pepin Mansion was built in 1851, and we've worked hard to make sure it doesn't feel like a museum. Original floors, painted ceilings, and horsehair plaster sit alongside private baths, central air, and WiFi in every suite.

 

The Accommodations

 

We have four king suites, each with a private bath, WiFi, cable, and central heating and air conditioning. Guests check in at 3:00 PM and check out at 11:00 AM, and every morning in between, innkeepers Brian and Mary prepare a fresh multi-course breakfast served at the table. Not a continental tray in the hallway. A real, sit-down breakfast inside a home built in 1851.

 

 

The original floors, horsehair plaster around the doorways, and woodwork are still part of the home’s character. 

 

The Event Spaces

 

The Ballroom, the Formal Parlor, and the tented Event Lawn each work for different kinds of gatherings. Indoors, we can seat up to 120 guests. Outside under the event tent, that number grows to 300. The tent is fully draped and lit, so it holds up whether you're hosting a Harvest Festival season dinner or a spring celebration timed around Derby weekend.

 

Many private event packages include event planning support, day of coordination, Pepin Mansion staff, setup, and cleanup. Exact inclusions depend on the event package selected. Depending on the package, event setups may include gold Chiavari chairs, linens, napkins, centerpieces, china, stemware, and flatware. The Ballroom also has a large flat-screen TV, useful for photo slideshows or video presentations during dinner.

 

Catering and Bar Flexibility

 

We work with an open vendor policy, which means you choose your own caterer, whether that's a longtime family favorite or a local name you've been wanting to try. Buffet and plated service are both options.

 

 

For bar service, we offer cash bar, open bar, and consumption-based arrangements. We also offer a BYO bar option, which can save 50 to 60 percent compared to many traditional bar packages. If you're planning a bridal shower, an optional mimosa bar is available as well.

 

What Each Event Type Looks Like Here

 

Birthday and anniversary gatherings tend to fill the Formal Parlor for smaller dinners or spill across the Ballroom and Event Lawn when the guest count grows. Bridal shower packages include a four-hour block in the Ballroom or Formal Parlor, a 60-inch flat-screen for slideshows, gold-rimmed ivory china service, and the BYO catering option for groups who prefer to keep things personal.

 

Rehearsal dinners work especially well here because the overnight suites let the wedding party stay on-site and settle in before the next day. Dinner in the Ballroom, then upstairs to a king suite with a private bath, luxury linens, WiFi, and cable. That combination is harder to replicate at a standard event hall.

 

For groups looking for something more interactive, we can add Murder Mystery and Casino Night entertainment to a private event.

 

Conclusion

 

The history is genuine, the comfort is real, and the flexibility on spaces, catering, and bar makes it work for almost any kind of gathering. That combination is why guests keep coming back, and why New Albany keeps calling it home. 

 

Come see it for yourself. Visit thepepinmansion.com or call us at 812-725-9186 to schedule a tour or start planning your event.

 

FAQs

 

How many guests can The Pepin Mansion accommodate for a private event? 

 

Indoor events can seat up to 120 guests. With the outdoor event tent, that capacity grows to 300. The tent is fully draped and lit for evening events.

 

Can we choose our own caterer and bar service? 

 

Yes. We have an open vendor policy, so you bring the caterer you want. For bar service, options include cash bar, open bar, consumption-based arrangements, or a BYO approach that guests report saves 50 to 60 percent.

 

What is included in a private event booking? 

 

Private event packages may include event planning support, day of coordination, our staff, setup and cleanup, gold Chiavari chairs, linens, centerpieces, china, stemware, and flatware. Exact inclusions depend on the package and event type.

 

Can overnight guests stay on-site the night of their event? 

 

Yes. We have four king suites with private baths, WiFi, and central heating and air. A multi-course breakfast prepared by innkeepers Brian and Mary is included each morning. Check-in is at 3:00 PM, and check-out is at 11:00 AM.