A 175-year-old timber frame building that once served as a church, a school gymnasium and, more recently, a general store and a bakery, is in the final phases of restoration before its official opening as Nelson Township’s new wedding and events venue: Bella Dawn Events.
Former Hermann’s Pickles owner, Larry Hermann, along with his wife, Laurie Hermann, said they plan to have the business up and running by early 2025.
It was three years ago when their daughter, Wendy Dolence, proposed the idea of opening a venue that hosts weddings and corporate events. The Hermanns did some research and realized that it was a pretty good idea; a year later, they began their search to find a location that would be suitable for such a venture.
The search led them to a historic building at 9415 State Route 305 in Nelson Township, right across the street from where Larry Hermann went to elementary school. The couple agreed that the location was perfect for their vision, so they bought it.
After the Hermanns purchased the building, they began renovating it in a style that Laurie Hermann calls “rustic charm,” a design that showcases the original beams and woodwork, alongside state-of-the-art amenities.
The venue features a spacious indoor reception hall with a capacity of 175, as well as a pavilion for wedding ceremonies and a patio area with a waterfall and fire pits for post-wedding cocktail hour.
There are two fully renovated cottages on the property, one that can serve as a bridal suite and one that can serve as a groom suite.
From the get go, the Hermanns knew the old building would have to undergo an extensive renovation to bring it up to code.
“We had to shore up the structure, work with architects back and forth, and just make sure everything was safe and sound,” Laurie Hermann said. “Those are probably the biggest hiccups in getting everything done. With a building like that, nothing lines up. You don’t have straight lines, so you have some things you have to do to make it work.”
While much of the historic charm of the building was kept intact, not everything was salvageable.
“One of my biggest regrets is that we did lose the floor,” Laurie Hermann said. “We had to pull it up. It was the original floor that they used as a gym for the school across the street, so it still had the basketball lines and stuff on it. I really wanted to keep that history, but we weren’t able to, because when we pulled up the floor, it just splintered because it was so old.”
Nevertheless, the refinished hand-hewn timber frame of the building conveys ample old-world appeal.
Not just any business could be sustainable in a town the size of Nelson, but Nelson Township Trustee Joe Leonard thinks an event center could.
“I think it’s great,” Leonard said. “From what I understand, there’s a limited amount of party centers around, so I definitely think it’s going to be an asset for Nelson Township and the surrounding community. It looks like he’s putting an awful lot into it, so I think it’s going to be really nice. It’s a neat building that needs to be salvaged and he’s doing that.”
The Hermanns’ vision for Bella Dawn is that it provides a memorable, uncomplicated experience for newlyweds.
“I think just being able to see a bride fall in love with it and want her special day to be there, that’s what excites me, and the groom, too,” Laurie Hermann said. “I can’t wait to see their hopes and dreams come true. We want everything to go well on that day with no problems and just have a beautiful day all the way around.”
Reservations are currently being accepted for 2025 at https://belladawnevents.com/#rs
