-The Howard County Conservancy is a 232-acre countryside venue located in Woodstock, Maryland, just 15 minutes from Columbia and Ellicott City. With multiple indoor and outdoor event spaces, and 8 ceremony location options, this nature center is available to host a range of celebrations, functions, and occasions.
The Gudelsky Environmental Education Center, at our Mt. Pleasant location, is a 8,700-square-foot facility with a large indoor event room and an expansive outdoor deck. Featuring a number of eco-friendly elements, this building offers space flooded with natural light, a beautiful oak floor and exposed wooden beams. The private event room is 2,400-square-foot and can be organized to fit the needs of the group size. It can seat up to 150 comfortably banquet style, or 200 people theater style/cocktail style. The lower level Classroom/Nature Center can accommodate up to 50 and is available only as an add-on to the Gudelsky room.
There are also multiple outdoor areas; such as the covered deck, Honors Garden, Theresa’s Garden and MontJoy Barn. The Honors Garden hosts four ceremony locations and an abundance of Maryland flora and fauna. Theresa’s Garden is a peaceful outdoor ceremony location next to our picnic area, and for couples looking for a rustic feel, the exclusive Montjoy Barn is the perfect place to hold romantic ceremonies and capture beautiful wedding photographs. The Center is available for rental year-round. The Conservancy’s picnic area is also available for rental.
Wedding and Special Event Rentals
General Rental Package Info
Our wedding and special events rental package includes an 8 hour rental (set-up and clean-up needs to happen in this time frame), 3 private areas for you and your guests (reception room, outdoor deck, and the Honors Garden), 8 potential ceremony locations, and the following event supplies:
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- 150 Natural Wood Padded Folding chairs
- 15 – 5ft round tables (fits 8-10 people around)
- 8 – 6ft rectangular tables
- 6 – 36inch dual height cocktail tables (32 or 40inch high)
- patio set for use on the deck only, which has 6 – 42inch square tables and 24 wicker chairs
- 7.5ft hexagon wooden arch
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Pricing
Peak Season (April – November)
Saturdays: $5,500
Fridays & Sundays: $4,800
Monday – Thursday: $3,800
NonPeak Season (December -March)
Friday – Sunday: $4,200
Plus a $1,000 refundable security deposit
Timeframe restrictions: Basic package is 8 hours. Additonal hours are $400 per hour. Monday through Saturday starting no earlier than 1pm and ending by midnight, Sundays flexible start time and ending by midnight.
Add-ons
Barn
Ceremony can be outside or inside the barn
Barn included for the entirety of the rental
Includes 20 wooden benches – fits about 80 to 125 people
pc Anna Schmidt Photography
Bridal Suite
4 hour rental
Access to restored parlor room, kitchnette and bathroom
Not available between late June to late August
pc Lily and Lime Photo
Owl Meet & Greet
45 minute visit from Conservancy educator
Typically occurs during cocktail hour
Staff exclusively handle the owl – guests can take photos
pc Anna Grace Photography
CATERERS & VENDORS
Check out our list of preferred vendors!
TOUR VIRTUALLY NOW
Explore our panoramic Virtual 360 Tour exploring the interior and extrior locations available for your special event. Created Summer 2020 by Catapult Image.
VIEW MORE PHOTOS AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE!
Weekday Rentals
General Info
The spacious Guldesky room makes for a professional and engaging location for business meetings and trainings. Fits 150 people with tables & chairs and 250 theater style. Rental supplies inlcude:
- 20ft retractable projector screen
- 100 gray metal/plastic chairs
- 15 – 5ft round tables (fits 8-10 people around)
- 8 – 6ft rectangular tables
- 6 – 36inch dual height cocktail tables (32 or 40inch high)
- Set of patio furniture
- 150 Natural Wood Padded Folding chairs
- Adjustable lighting
The lower level Classroom/Nature Center can accommodate up to 50 people and is available only as an add-on to the Gudelsky room. Has an additonal 8 tables and 24 chairs.
Restrictions: Our location has many educational activities happening often, such a field trips and summer camps. When one of these activitiesare happening, the Gudelsky Center is not available for rent. We recommend emailing rentals@howardnature.org or calling 410-465-8877 to ask about day time rental availability.
Pricing
Year Round (Monday – Thursday)
9am – 3pm: $200 per hour
After 3pm: $400 per hour
Add-ons
Nature Center Classroom
Includes 8 rectangular tables, 26 black chairs, 16 stools, a whiteboard that doubles as a projector screen and a projector. Educational materials and animal ambassors on display. Several small environmental exhibits along the walls of the room.
For more information about renting our venue or other questions, email rentals@howardnature.org
or call 410-465-8877.