This beautiful property where our wedding will take place has been in the Mellinger family for generations. As Nick's family prepares to pass it to new stewards in the coming year, our wedding is also a celebration of the land and the friends, family, and community that has kept it alive.

In the year 1878, Andrew Mehaffey built a house and barn opposite the little railroad station in what was known as the village of Baumgartner. Mehaffey had big plans. The house he built had twelve rooms, wide porches, and even a balcony facing the driveway. He thought the house would become a popular inn for folks wanting to escape the busy city of Lancaster.

But Baumgardner was not the draw that Mehaffey envisioned and after two years the house and property was sold to Benjamin (BG) Mellinger in 1880.

Nick's great, great grandpa BG ran the local post office and a small business out of the railroad station, shipping grain, leather, tobacco, flax and other crops from surrounding farms. Over the years the business expanded and so did the warehouse. When BG passed, his son Harvey took over the business and moved into the house and, along with his wife Clara, raised Mervin, Benjamin, Parke and Dorothy.

Nick's grandpa, Parke Mellinger, started working for the family business right after high school, and took it over the from Harvey in the 1960's. Parke ran the business, which evolved to become a fuel oil company, until the 1990's.

When Harvey died in 1968 he left the house to Parke and Ruth Mellinger, and in 1996 Ruth and Wayne, Nick and EmmaKate moved in with Parke. Nick and EmmaKate were the 5th generation Mellinger/Martin to live at Baumgardner.

Over the years many births, weddings and deaths occurred in the house and on the property. It was an active place. Gardens were grown. Butchering took place in the winter. Chickens, ducks and pigs were raised along with many children. Electricity and indoor plumbing replaced the gas lighting and outhouse. An electric stove replaced the old coal cookstove and upgrades continued through the years.

During the years Parke and Ruth lived here many dozens of cookies were baked and sold at market to help fund Christmas presents and college tuitions. Quite a few were also eaten. When they were about 7 and 5 Nick and EmmaKate decided it was time to bake cookies on their own with no adult oversight. There was much banging and mixing and after quite a while loud cries of pain! Apparently fingers were burnt taking a batch out of the oven, the hot cookie sheet was dropped on the floor where Nick stepped on it with his bare feet. Mom entered the kitchen to much yelping and hopping. Batter everywhere and cookies on the counter, floor and ceiling. She helped Nick cool his feet under the kitchen faucet.

Through the years, the business and house continued. From 2012 - 2015, the property became the home of Blue Rock Farm, an organic farm run by Caitlin and EmmaKate!

Now, roses and peonies bloom that have existed for four generations. Our garden room that used to see butchering and washing has become our lovely hangout. The Baumgardner homestead has been a happy place to live and grow up enjoying stories of the generations before us.

We are so excited to celebrate our love and this land together with you.