historic shady lane
about us
about historic shady lane
Historic Shady Lane is a 34-acre private estate providing rental options for Traditional Weddings, Micro Weddings, small parties and gatherings, photos sessions, and more. With over a decade of weddings and events experience in an outdoor setting, Historic Shady Lane is Pennsylvania's premier outdoor wedding and events venue.
Our team works diligently to provide a positive and seamless wedding and event experience for all couples and their guests. We're excited to meet you!
meet the team:
Dylan plays a vital role both throughout the week and on wedding days. He sets your floor plan, assists with maintaining Historic Shady Lane's presence, and is a craftsman for many of our projects to enhance the estate. He enjoys woodworking and investing, learning anything new and visiting South Carolina.
dylan, lead event manager
Trish has a behind the scenes role at HSL. She works in our office located below the cottage where she processes the contracts, invoices, payments, does payroll, and more! You could say she keeps the lights on at HSL, literally! When she isn’t crunching numbers or doing paperwork she is enjoying time with her family, camping, kayaking, or baking
trish, business manager
Ed is responsible for keeping Historic Shady Lane's landscapes beautiful. He cares deeply for the grounds and for our couples and their guests. He has a sarcastic sense of humor that keeps us all laughing and has a serving heart for Vietnam. We are thankful for everything he does to keep our venue beautiful and operational all year-round!
ed, groundskeeper
As Venue Director, Bradania provides a warm welcome for couples who are dreaming of having their wedding at HSL. As a well-seasoned director of weddings and events at Historic Shady Lane, Bradania is an integral part of the booking and planning process, working alongside our couples and their vendors to provide a seamless, and stress-free experience for both couples and their families. From the time couples inquire and tour, and through to their wedding day, she is your point person and teammate for all things related to the venue and any logistics onsite. She prides herself on getting to know her couples and ensuring their day runs smoothly!
Bradania, venue director
Wearer of many hats, Steve plays an active role at HSL both behind the scenes and on wedding days. His love for the history and beauty of the property is obvious in any conversation with him. He loves beekeeping and running. Say hi to Steve when you see him around!
steve, owner
meet us in person!
historic shady lane
a brief history
1682
William Penn takes ownership of Shady Lane, which at the time was only a large parcel of land.
1774
James Smith, signer of the Declaration of Independence, obtained the land from William Penn's heirs. It is believed that Smith used the land as an investment property to house laborers who worked at the Codorus Furnace
1807
The Hakes purchased the estate and opened a whiskey distillery, which still stands today. Located near Shady Lane and constructed of stone and cedar shakes. The license for the distillery is still visible on the building.
1825
Jacob Hake built the main stone house. The main house now serves as a getting ready space and the backdrop for rose garden ceremonies.
1900
Frederick Small, a Yale graduate and York industrialist purchased the 34 acres. Mr. Small owned a mansion in York City and used the estate for his summer home where his family could entertain their vast network of friends. He added the tennis court (the reception tent now sits here), cottage, band stand and many other amenities.
1948
The Oermann's purchased the estate and established a nature preserve, complete with braille trails. Weddings were also held during this time period.
2003
Steve & Sue Kohr purchased the property and moved into the estate with their four boys. The estate has been preserved through The Farm and Natural Land Trust. After many restoration projects to revive the estate, the Kohrs re-opened the estate for weddings in 2012.
2012
Historic Shady Lane begins hosting outdoor weddings for friends and family, and grows into the outdoor wedding and events venue we are today.
by the numbers
AT A GLANCE
25
THE NUMBER OF
WEDDINGS WE SHOOT PER YEAR
15k
THE NUMBER OF
MILES WE DROVE LAST YEAR
95%
THE NUMBER OF
OUR COUPLES WHO DO FIRST LOOKS
24
THE NUMBER OF
GROOMS THAT CRied. HARD.
9
THE NUMBER OF
COUNTRIES we've traveled to
25
THE NUMBER OF
ALBUMS we deliver annually
why choose
historic shady lane?
Because it's YOUR celebration! At Historic Shady Lane, we provide a seamless wedding day experience for couples and their families. We want you to come onsite the day of your wedding and be pampered, share in the celebrations you've been planning for, and just be with the ones who mean the most to you on one of the most important day of your life.
© Historic shady lane 2023
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