Conestoga House & Gardens

Conestoga House and Gardens is a historic wedding venue located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The manor was originally owned by Christian Hershey, of the chocolate family, who built the house in the 1700s. During the 18th century, it served as a tavern for merchants on the Conestoga wagon trade between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. In the mid-19th century it became an inn and hosted numerous travelers throughout the country’s early history. Purchased by James Hale and Louise McClure Steinman in 1927, the property was fully renovated and restored in 1930 by architect Frank J. Everts. Among the venue’s many visitors was the great-nephew of Edgar Allan Poe, who even wrote a short story about its fabled gardens. Today, the estate abounds with natural beauty, where it boasts 3,300 varieties of annual flowers, 160 perennials, 160 rose bushes, and 400 tropical plants. Couples looking to host their wedding in a beautiful location surrounded by a lush landscape will be delighted by Conestoga House and Gardens. Facilities and Capacity The three-story Colonial revivalist mansion features 12 bedrooms and 9,688 square feet of event space, allowing soon-to-be-newlyweds to host weddings both intimate and grand. A stroll of the grounds will reveal many scenic sites for outdoor ceremonies and receptions. These include on the lawn next to the pool and in an atmospheric red-brick courtyard. Here, an arch leads into the grotto, which is surrounded by draping green trees that create a secluded and romantic ambience. Couples can tie the knot in this beautiful enclave, set up tables and chairs for dinner, or dance on the small stone dance floor. Inside the manor, a hall with a black-and-white checkered tiled floor, pristine white walls, and a black wood staircase offers a stylish space for nuptials. This room also features shelves filled with candles and tall, arched windows that bathe the floor, and the wedding party, in natural light. Services Offered Rental of Conestoga House and Gardens comes with access to the grounds for the big day. The numerous and flexible event spaces can be fully tailored to couples’ desires, combining locations for the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception. This beautiful estate is a nostalgic, dreamy spot that makes for an unforgettable backdrop to celebrations of love.