Planning a special birthday, intimate wedding, or baby shower? Consider hosting your event at the Shaker Historical Society! We are now accepting bookings for 2025 and 2026.
What we offer:
A beautiful historic site and mansion located in Shaker Heights across the street from Horseshoe Lake Park
Limited on-site parking and street parking for guests
Quaint gardens and backyard for an open air or tented event
Space for up to 40 guests inside the museum
Space for over 100 guests on our grounds
Full kitchen access for vendors/caterers of your choosing
A fair and reasonable rate for all event rentals, including exclusive SHS member discounts
For more detailed information and pricing, please review our rental packet here.
If you are interested in renting the museum, complete our rental inquiry form and a staff member will follow up with you within 7 business days of receiving your request. We encourage all potential renters to walk through the space before committing. If we are able to accommodate your event, a rental contract and 50% deposit will be required to secure your rental.
Questions? Please contact Kate Walker, Operations & Events Manager, at events@shakerhistory.org.
We're quickly approaching the 2025 growing season!
We are excited to once again offer our community raised garden bed rentals to Shaker Historical Society/Ohio History Connection members and the Shaker Heights community.
Fees:
One 4’ x 8’ bed (Member: $35/year, Non-member: $45/year)
Two 4’ x 8’ beds (Member: $70/year, Non-member: $90/year)
Please note that SHS participates in the Museums for All program and offers discounted plot fees for community members receiving SNAP benefits. Please contact education@shakerhistory.org for more information.
Before renting one of our community garden beds at SHS, please read and review the community garden guidelines and code of conduct.
Ready to get gardening? Download the rental agreement (fillable PDF) and email the completed form to education@shakerhistory.org.
Planting: The SHS garden beds are available to all renters on a rough schedule from Memorial Day to Labor Day (+/- 2 weeks). All garden beds must be cleared out by October 31. You are free to plant what you like in your garden, so long as the plants do not spread outside of your allotted bed. All plants must be contained in your garden bed. Exceptions can be made for vining/bushing plants such as beans/tomatoes which can be caged and grown up/out (use your best judgement). SHS reserves the right to trim back any plants growing outside of the garden beds for the purposes of lawn maintenance/garden access.
Identification of Plots: SHS uses small lawn stakes to identify your plots. You may also purchase something to identify your plot as you deem appropriate. We identify the plots based on the last name you submitted on your rental agreement.
Soil: SHS is unable to provide additional soil beyond what is currently in the raised beds. If you need additional soil, we recommend Tilth Soil's raised bed mix, a product of local group Rust Belt Riders.
Water Access: Until our rain barrel is reinstalled, you may continue to use the hose behind the garage. Please make sure the water is completely off after using.
Tools: Gardeners must bring their own tools.
Netting and Pest Control: Rabbits and deer love your veggies! You may utilize non-chemical pest control options, but the application of chemical-based herbicides (weed killers) and/or insecticides/pesticides is strictly prohibited. You may use netting on stakes, so long as the stakes are within the perimeter of your garden bed. No stakes, cages, or netting are permitted outside of your garden bed. Netting is the responsibility of the renter, and any fallen/broken stakes or holes in netting are the renter's responsibility. SHS reserves the right to move any stakes or netting that fall or break outside of the renter's bed for purposes of lawn maintenance and access to the garden. SHS is not responsible for any netting holes or broken stakes/cages caused by weather or pests.
SHS Scheduling: SHS is working to create safe and fun programming this summer, including programs outside on our grounds. Please be aware that some events might prevent access to your garden. We encourage you to sign up for our email list to be notified of upcoming events.
Need a bike?
Beginning June 1, the Shaker Historical Society will offer eight adult-size bikes and helmets for rent on a first-come, first-served basis. Bikes may be picked up after 11:00am on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays and must be returned by 4:30pm on the same day.
The rental fee is $15 per bike per hour, or $10 per hour for Shaker Historical Society members*, for up to three hours. Payment is required in full before the rental begins and is non-refundable. A signed liability waiver is required, along with a valid driver’s license or government-issued ID, which the museum will hold until the bike is returned. A $200 fee will be charged for each bike not returned.
Please note that bike rentals are subject to staff availability, and the rental schedule may change depending on office hours. Bikes may be borrowed for free when participating in a Bike Shaker guided tour.
Rental Times
Wednesday: 11:00am-3:30pm Return by: 4:30pm
Thursday: 11:00am-3:30pm Return by: 4:30pm
Friday: 11:00am-3:30pm Return by: 4:30pm
Rental Rates
One Hour: $15 per bike ($10 for SHS members*)
Two Hours: $30 per bike ($20 for SHS members)
Three Hours: $45 per bike ($30 for SHS members)
*A valid Shaker Historical Society membership card must be presented at the time of rental to receive member rates.
★ Questions?
Email: education@shakerhistory.org
Call: 216-921-1201
Please note that SHS staff follows a partial work-from-home schedule. To speak with our educator, please call between 11:00am and 4:30pm, Wednesday through Friday.