When Matt McClanahan and Lauren McChesney found out that their local drive-in theater was in danger of being sold to developers, they knew they had to preserve the beloved neighborhood hub — and a crucial piece of film history.
Opened by Wilson Shankweiler on April 15, 1934, Shankweiler’s Drive-In Theatre in Orefield, PA is the oldest operating drive-in theater in the world.
To purchase the drive-in in 2022, McClanahan and McChesney emptied their life savings and took out a $1,000,000 loan. While the couple is determined to maintain the theater’s vintage charm, they’re running it with modern sensibilities…