My STORY about PROSPERITY MANSION AND FARM

Prosperity Mansion and Farm is a wedding venue that is located in Fredrick, MD and boarding Carroll Co, MD. Specializing in historical, outdoor / garden wedding at an affordable price.

Welcome to the Story of Prosperity Mansion and Farm

Our story, mirrors many couples  journey of building a life together: starting with desire, overcoming major obstacles, working hard, and seeing your efforts eventually result in something beautiful and lasting.

When I saw this property was for sale some 20 years ago, it was sad and in shambles. But I felt drawn to it, as if it were beckoning to me for help. I looked past the decay and instead saw the timeless beauty and romance of the past.

With very little money but a heart overflowing with desire, I bought it. The grounds were a tangled wilderness with zero evidence of any intentional design. The mansion house was  totally unsafe and uninhabitable in every possible way. Doing as much of the work myself and with my daughter as we were qualified to do, we tackled it one room at a time, one blade of grass at a time. Each year, as extra funds became available, another room was renovated, and another area on the property was improved. Prosperity Mansion and Farm is and always will be a work in progress, both inside and out—a testament to our desire to be good stewards and enrich its grandeur. 

With the greatest respect for the past, and a deep love of history, every last detail has been preserved to honor this property’s survival and enhanced with the highest regard and pride.

As I worked on this estate and loved every minute through all of the struggles, physically and financially I always wondered how this property could help to pay for its own upkeep. Being over 230 years old there is and always will be things that need repairs and updating. This historical estate is a part of every fiber of my being; and I wanted to remain its caretaker as long as possible.

As I resided here, people that came to visit would always comment on its beauty. One day, after many prayers, I was led to think about making this a wedding venue. So began the arduous effort to become licensed with Frederick Maryland to operate a wedding venue. That actually took years of financial grief, administrative hearings and what I still consider even more, undo financial burdens. I stayed the course, jumping through many hoops and dealt with a forever changing finish line imposed by governmental entities. But I am proud to say that I did cross that ever elusive end point.

Prosperity Mansion is not merely an old house; it is a meticulously preserved landmark. We have successfully undergone the rigorous process of becoming registered and licensed with the Frederick County Register of Historic Properties as well as the Landmark of Historical Places in Frederick, MD.  This rare designation—earned through extensive review and formal committee approval, speaks to the genuine historical significance of Prosperity Mansion. This achievement involved formal hearings and the historical  committee reviews and confirmation, both of which is a testament to the authentic historical significance of this property. When you choose Prosperity Mansion and Farm, you are choosing a venue that is officially recognized as a piece of Frederick County's rich history, allowing you and your partner to become a part of that enduring legacy.

We hope this part of the story encourages you to honor the property's preservation by choosing Prosperity Mansion and Farm as the setting for your wedding day. When you rent a privately-owned historic landmark for your wedding celebration, you are making a direct and meaningful contribution to its conservation. Choosing Prosperity Mansion and Farm is not only a choice to celebrate love, but a conscious choice to honor and protect history by directly supporting the preservation of this property. Carving your own notch on this historical, proverbial, tree that has been a part of Frederick County's history for over 230 years you will become part of this history too. 

We would be delighted and overjoyed to help you celebrate the beginning of your forever here. We invite you to write your love story and experience the magic of your wedding day among the countless memories imprinted at our historical and unique setting. Hundreds of years ago, Joshua Delaplane named this land "Prosperity" as a special blessing, wishing for enduring success, good fortune, and abundance for all who walk these hallowed grounds. Prosperity isn’t just a nice word, it's a centuries-old intention for the land and those that grace it. Unequaled with charterer and whimsical delights your wedding day will be nothing short of memorable. This chapter of your love story can only be written here, where hundreds of years of existence create an atmosphere of timeless romance that is exclusively ours.

Historical Highlights of Prosperity Farm, later known as Prosperity Mansion and Farm

Key Date/Period	Event or Significance
1792-1794	The historical estate was said to have been bequeathed to  Joshua Delaplane by Lord Baltimore. An impressive 800 acres straddling Double Pipe Creek. He named the land "Prosperity" for enduring success, good fortune, abundance.
Early 1790s	The surrounding area evolved into the mill village of Detour, sparked by Delaplane, who founded a large grist mill, a woolen mill, and a saw mill nearby.
Late 1700s	Sir Francis Scott Key, the author of the U.S. national anthem was our first neighbor of substance. Both properties adjourned marking the relationship of  impressive neighbors.
1842	The property was purchased by Daniel P. Sayler (later known as Bishop Saylor). Sayler was the bishop of the church of the Brethren and had a personal relationship with President Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln penned many comments in his journals about his friendship with the Bishop.
Lincoln Connection	Local rumors suggest that Bishop Saylor and Abraham Lincoln had a close relationship, and some stories even claim that Saylor secretly baptized Lincoln in the nearby Double Pipe Creek, where the mansion house overlooks
1853	Elder Daniel P. Sayler purchased the lands belonging to the Henry Waesche estate, contributing to the growth of the town of Detour / Keymar MD.
1800 to 1890	This is the official Period of Significance for the property as recognized by Frederick County's historic preservation records.
	The property, now known as Prosperity Mansion and Farm, is listed on the Frederick County Register of Historic Properties as well as Landmark of Historical Places in Frederick, MD , both of which is a testament to the authentic historical significance of this property. The current owner, Debbie Donohue,  has meticulously restored it, blending its historic grandeur with modern amenities to operate it as a unique, outdoor wedding and event venue. The restored structures include the main stone mansion, which dates back to the 1790s, and its outbuildings, such as the original 1794+ carriage house (now the bridal cottage) and the late 1700s creamery (now the "man cave") and massive garden areas throughout the property.

Contact us for additional information at:

Website-  www.prosperitymansion.com

Email- prosperity_mansion@yahoo.com

Call to chat - 443-350-8100

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