We’re proud to share that our building, the Historic Trentham Mansion, is one of 30 locations chosen for The Daily Record’s first list of Maryland’s Coolest Spaces! Want to know what makes our mansion so cool? Keep reading to find out:
Imagine waking up every day and going to work at an 18th century mansion that is rumored to be haunted by the spirit of a former resident. This unique scenario is a workday reality for the women of Devaney & Associates, a full-service advertising, marketing, and public relations agency in Owings Mills, Maryland. We have been lucky enough to call the timeless Trentham Mansion home since June 2015; however, the historic house still remains a key part of Baltimore County’s architectural history. So, what exactly makes our workspace cool? It begins where most stories do, by looking back at the Trentham Mansion’s fascinating history.
taking a step back in time
The estate was built in 1746, by Reverend Thomas Cradock, on top of the land that was given to him as dowry when he married High Sheriff John Risteau’s daughter, Catherine Risteau. Cradock named the building after the Free School of Trentham in Staffordshire, England, where he had once taught. Besides living in the mansion, the Cradock couple also ran a boarding school for boys on the grounds.
The original home was damaged by a fire in 1857 and rebuilt in 1860; however, the octagonal bathhouse, that still sits at the mansion’s entrance, dates back to 1747 and has been restored to preserve the building’s rich history and design.
The magic D&A Touch
As an agency, we have had the freedom to modify the mansion to fit a business environment and to reflect our style while preserving its history. Our art directors played a key role in personalizing the workspace with custom light fixtures and vibrant color schemes and décor that adorn the walls and floors.
Some interesting aspects in our office include soundproof floral panels in our conference room, a loft with a clawfoot bathtub, and a Sandtown Millworks table made out of wood reclaimed from old Baltimore row houses. Our property also features an outdoor area that has a historic smokehouse with four potbelly stoves, several decks, a fireplace, and a grille. This entertainment space has allowed us to host office events and parties for the community and our clients.
Our resident ghost
And what would a historic mansion be without a ghost that haunts its halls? The ghost is believed to be Catherine Cradock, a descendent of Reverend Thomas Cradock, who was murdered at home by a vagrant who had been residing in the mansion’s barn. While she doesn’t give us much trouble, we have blamed a few bizarre incidents on her presence.
Why we love our mansion
The Historic Trentham Mansion is a special space for many reasons. From its captivating past to its haunted tendencies, the former boarding school turned agency headquarters is a one-of-a-kind building that reflects the personality of the people who inhabit it and the work that we do.
