Destination weddings are growing in popularity and absorbing much of the wedding planners’ schedule and imagination. If you are about to embark on your journey into married life and wish to begin it with something less than traditional, the answer to your dream wedding may be right here on American soil. Take a look at Cumberland, Maryland.
Cumberland, Maryland, full of diverse cultural influences and rich in history, is located at the base of converging mountain ridges in Allegany County. Snuggled between Wills Creek and the Potomac River, its land conforms to the rugged layout in which it is situated. Your ideal marriage setting could be a lot closer to home than you think.
Cumberland, Maryland: Its History
Cumberland began as a trading post in 1750. It wasn’t long after this when the French drove out the English traders. As expected, the Governor of Virginia sent a small company, led by a young Virginian named George Washington, to order the French to leave English territory. The French ignored Washington’s warnings, so he returned the following spring with more men. This began the French and Indian War which officially ended with Washington’s surrender following the deaths of one third of his men.
The city of Cumberland was established in 1787, where George Washington had his headquarters during the French and Indian War. Fort Cumberland, as it was known then, became the Gateway to the West and the kick-off site of the first National Railroad.
Cumberland, Maryland Today
Downtown Cumberland still retains much of its impressive 19th century architecture. The Fort Cumberland Hotel, the C&O Canal, the Second National Bank and Rosenbaum’s department store continue to depict the heritage of Cumberland’s economic and social growth.
Of note is the Cumberland skyline, speckled with many church spires bursting upwards from the horizon. The Town Clock Church still stands as a visual reminder of Maryland’s German immigrants. Built in 1848, its tall peak tracks the time and pronounces with chimes the daily activities of Cumberland’s picturesque downtown.
Choose a Church Wedding in Cumberland
Maryland is home to many of the first churches built in America. Most are a singular example of early American design with strong European influences. The First Baptist Church, built in the early 1840s, is an unusual example of late Gothic Revival architecture. Located on a hill visible from many points in the city, it continues to be a focal point of the community.
Similarly, the African Methodist Episcopal Church is one of Maryland’s earliest examples of a free black church. In 19th century pre-Civil War America, it served as a place of worship, a social and cultural center, a political meeting place, a hiding place for fugitives, a training ground for potential community leaders, and was one of the few places where free blacks could express their true feelings.
Capture History in your Wedding Photographs
Much of the architecture in Maryland retains the flavour of the 19th century. Wright Butler, a local architect whose building designs still dominate the Cumberland skyline, designed many of the downtown buildings including the Masonic Temple, the Liberty Bank Building, and the George Troug House. Characteristic of the Queen Anne style, houses feature a three bay window arrangement that travels upwards to the second and third story, creating the appearance of a tower. Elaborate wooden spindle work decorates many of the exterior walls and porches making it a perfect setting for historical-themed wedding photographs.
Whether you choose a church ceremony or one held in city hall, the history of Cumberland will add charm to your ceremony. From its Bell Tower Building (now the Chamber of Commerce) to the Masonic Temple, the old world essence in Maryland remains substantially unchanged. Take a look and decide for yourself.
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