Twenty years after opening its doors, Misselwood has become the home of a hospitality brand that has grown alongside Endicott itself—welcoming thousands of visitors each year, creating opportunities for students, and generating resources that strengthen the College.
From Tearoom Management classes in 1939 to today’s non-traditional classroom, La Chanterelle, hospitality has always been a proud part of Endicott’s DNA.
But in 2006, the College stepped into a new era of hospitality: to not just teach it, but to offer it to our community. From seaside weddings to summer athletic camps, Endicott has since become a standout location for hosting events, a financial strategy that has helped shape the College and share Endicott’s mission far and wide.
This year, we celebrate the 20th anniversary of both the opening of Misselwood Estate as a venue and the rebranding of Endicott’s events and conferencing services as Misselwood Events—a one-stop shop for world-class events hosted on our beautiful oceanfront campus.
A New Vision Meets a Historic Home
When Dr. Richard E. Wylie became president in 1987, the College was facing declining enrollment and financial uncertainty. An ambitious plan to turn things around included expanding events and conferencing more strategically to bolster the College’s income.
In 2003, the College purchased the Misselwood property from the Felton family, promising, as part of the sale, that it would not be turned into residence halls. Instead, it became the iconic new home for events at the College.
Eileen Geyer ’92, Executive Director at Misselwood Events, has been at Endicott for 29 years—long enough to see a two-person events team grow into today’s group of 11 full-time employees and 28 seasonal staff. Under her direction, Misselwood Events transformed into a revenue stream with the heart of a true host.
“Our relaunch with the name Misselwood Events coincided with a new drive to become the best of the best,” she explained. “I’m an Endicott hospitality alumna, and I have hospitality alumni working for me, so we have a mindset that goes beyond collegiate conferencing. Hospitality is a service industry, and therefore you provide the best possible service you can.”
Building a Reputation, One Event at a Time
Misselwood opened to the public in 2006, kicking off a new era of events that continues to grow today. Named to the Best of Weddings Hall of Fame by the website The Knot, Misselwood is becoming less of a hidden gem and more of a well-known dream venue.
“We were obsessed with Misselwood from the moment we saw the photos online,” said bride Krysta Kalajian, who married at the estate in 2025. “Our wedding day was even better than we ever could have imagined! Misselwood executed all of our personal touches perfectly. From the views to the food to the espresso martini bar, not a single beat is missed at Misselwood!
To meet growing demand, the wedding season was recently expanded to include all of May and October, and the property is even booking a growing number of Monday and Thursday weddings.
“Misselwood offers the Newport aesthetic without Newport pricing,” said Kelsey O’Keefe Angelo ’19 M’23, Director of Event Sales. “The old estate home, the oceanfront lawn, garden fairy lights, privacy … it’s a big draw, and we’ve built a reputation for it.”
Today, the Misselwood calendar includes much more than weddings. A summer concert series, yoga on the lawn, craft nights inside during winter months, alumni gatherings, and executive meetings all bring in revenue for the College.
Meanwhile, the Misselwood Events team coordinates programming across campus and its sister property, the Wylie Center & Tupper Manor, creating seamless experiences for everyone from wedding guests and conference attendees to sports campers and visiting scholars. Families and friends celebrating weddings at Misselwood often stay at the Wylie, while faculty hosting academic camps, professional conferences, or leadership retreats rely on the team to coordinate everything from dining to audiovisual support and public safety.
“Our conference had been at a single venue for over 50 years, and Misselwood Events found ways to exceed our expectations and help us create a conference that was a smash hit at a new venue,” said Bruce Bomberg of the Maine Orthopaedic Review.
Hospitality That Supports the College’s Mission
Events at Misselwood and around campus generate more than just memorable experiences and a positive reputation—they also bring in $3.2 million per year that improves the student experience for Gulls.
“We’re a tuition-dependent institution, and everything that happens at Misselwood helps diversify revenue streams, so we become less reliant on student-driven revenues,” explained Anthony Ferullo, Vice President of Finance & Chief Operating Officer. “We can put more money towards financial aid and capital improvements, and investments that directly benefit our students.”
The annual Misselwood Concours d’Elegance brings a meticulously curated collection of classic, antique, and exotic automobiles and motorcycles to the seaside lawn and is a favorite among automotive enthusiasts and collectors. Revenue from the show goes directly to the Inspire Scholarship for first-generation college students, allowing the College to build strong financial relationships that directly help students with tuition. The 2026 Concours raised $50,000 for the Inspire Scholarship.
A Living Laboratory for Students
Kayla Richards M’20, La Chanterelle Operations Coordinator, said the student-staffed restaurant and Misselwood Events sharing a space means a chance to network and get skill-building experience.
“While we are two different entities—we being the academic side, and them the auxiliary revenue—we both work very closely together, so our students learn more about the hospitality industry as a whole,” she explained.
With a legacy for hospitality education, it’s no surprise Misselwood has become the home of both an enriched student experience and non-academic revenue-generating events. It’s the perfect Endicott combination.
Geyer said her student workers—who come from a diverse set of majors—are benefiting from Misselwood employment in more ways than just earning a paycheck and summer housing.
“Every individual should work in the hospitality industry, because you will learn soft skills that will be used in any career,” she shared.
Looking to host an event? Endicott alumni enjoy exclusive event discounts at Misselwood! Alumni also receive 15% off stays at the Wylie Inn & Tupper Manor. For more information or to start planning, contact our team at misselwoodevents@endicott.edu.