Downtown Frederick, Maryland – In honor of National Historic Preservation Month, we’re shining a spotlight on one of the most remarkable preservation projects in Downtown Frederick in recent years: the Visitation Hotel Frederick.
Nestled in the heart of Downtown Frederick, the newly opened Visitation Hotel Frederick stands as a powerful example of how historic preservation can breathe new life into treasured spaces. This thoughtfully restored property, located at 200 E 2nd St, officially opened its doors in December 2024, marking a major milestone as the first new hotel to open in Downtown Frederick in over 50 years.
Visitation Hotel is part of the Marriott Tribute Portfolio, a collection of distinctive independent hotels, and represents the visionary rehabilitation of a Federal-style building that dates back to circa 1850. With a long and storied past – as a Catholic boarding school, convent, community hub, and Civil War field hospital – the building had sat vacant since 2016, until it was purchased and reimagined by James O’Hare and Lance Jaccard.
Despite challenges, including a fire during construction and the COVID-19 pandemic, the team remained committed to a vision rooted in historic preservation and adaptive reuse. The result is Downtown Frederick’s first new hotel in over 50 years—complete with 65 guest rooms, event spaces, and a new restaurant, Wye Oak Tavern, led by celebrated chefs Bryan and Michael Voltaggio.
The transformation of Visitation Hotel is a true preservation success story. The project carefully maintains the building’s historic form, massing and architectural elements while introducing modern amenities for today’s travelers. Original features such as antique window glass, original wood flooring, and brickwork were retained and restored. The former chapel now serves as a dining space and includes original stained-glass windows, a pipe organ, choir loft and tabernacle, blending historical reverence with elegant design.
A thoughtful interpretive plan incorporates over 1,200 artifacts and memorabilia from former students, along with historic photos and archaeological fragments that tell the building’s layered story. The former auditorium, known today as the Academy Room, still showcases its original stage and Civil War–era elements. Outside, the renovation honors a cemetery where more than 100 nuns are buried.
From the beginning, the project was committed to supporting the local economy. Local artisans – including woodworkers, metalworkers and framers – played key roles in restoring the property and artwork was sourced from regional creators. As part of Historic Hotels of America, Visitation Hotel helps put Frederick on the map for travelers seeking historic accommodations.
The Visitation Hotel Frederick project is more than just a historic preservation effort – it’s a transformative addition to our downtown. It brings new energy and economic vitality, supports small businesses, and invites both locals and visitors to engage with Frederick’s past in a meaningful and immersive way.
As Downtown Frederick continues to grow and evolve, Visitation Hotel stands as a beacon of how we can honor our history while building for the future. It’s a true example of preservation in action – and a reminder that our city’s character lies not only in its bricks and mortar, but in the care we take to preserve what matters.
Learn more and participate in Preservation Month 2025: savingplaces.org/stories/preservation-month-2025