Auburn Heights Preserve

Auburn Heights Preserve sits on a 3.5-acre estate within Auburn Valley State Park in Yorklyn, Delaware, centered on the 1897 Marshall Mansion — a Queen Anne-style Victorian home built by Israel W. and Elizabeth Marshall and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The grounds also include the Marshall Steam Museum, home to one of the world's largest collections of operating steam-powered automobiles, and the Auburn Valley Railroad, a 1/8-scale coal-fired miniature train that circles the property. The outdoor grounds accommodate up to 120 guests and are suited for small weddings, group meetings, and private charter events. The rose arbor and wraparound porch provide ceremony settings, while the sunporch and patio serve more intimate gatherings. Indoor space within the museum building is available on a limited basis. Private events can be arranged to include mansion tours, rides in antique Stanley Steamer automobiles, and a turn around the miniature railroad — activities that set Auburn Heights apart from a conventional event venue. Wedding arrangements are coordinated through Delaware State Parks, and rental packages covering car or train rides are available through the Friends of Auburn Heights.