Restoring America’s Past One Bed and Breakfast at a Time
Bed and breakfast owners across the USA are key factors in the preservation of historic buildings. Time and time again one reads of the great efforts innkeepers are making in the restoration of historic buildings as well as the research and preservation of their history. As innkeepers celebrate and preserve these magnificent inns, why not choose one as the stage for one of your life’s celebrations, from weddings to family gatherings to that special romantic night away for two.
From Rain Barrel and Bulldozer to Preserved Beauty
Nestled in the heart of New England, Winterwood at Petersham is an elegant bed and breakfast the owners, Jean and Robert Day, have been restoring for over 25 years. As Jean describes their first tour through the house: “ the wiring was dangerous, the kitchen had a soapstone sink with a pump and kerosene stove, the living room had a barrel to collect rain from the leaky roof, and the house was shingled inside, yes inside, with brown cedar shingles.” Not only have they saved this historic 1842 Greek revival building from being bulldozed, but they have carefully renovated it over the years, doing most of the work themselves, to where it is a grand choice for a wedding or anniversary celebration in Massachusetts. The rooms, all with private bathrooms and many with working fireplaces, offer a cozy night’s stay and a filling hot breakfast when you rise.
Elegant Greek Revival was Once Old Stagecoach Stop
Staying in Massachusetts, journey down Route 6A, originally an historic Native American trail, to Yarmouth Port and the Inn at Cape Cod. The original owner of this two-acre property (next to hundreds of acres of conservation land and hiking trails) was Joshua Sears, whose father was Officer Ebenezer Sears in the Revolutionary War. Today, bed and breakfast owners Mike and Helen Cassals offer plush pillow-topped beds, most likely not what Henry David Thoreau slept on when he stayed at this 200-year-old bed and breakfast. As with all older properties, there are daily challenges to be met, and innkeepers seem well suited to overcome them all with a cheerful personality, exceptional multi-tasking talents and the ultimate care of their guests.
From Old Stone Plaster Mill to Quintessential Country Inn on the Village Square
Travel to Mumford, New York where you can stay at the Genesee Country Inn, which began life in 1833 as an old plaster mill. As owners Richard and Deborah Stankevich note, this beautiful mill was converted to a residence in the early 1900’s and has been a bed and breakfast for over 25 years. They continue to renovate to preserve the building as well as provide the best accommodations for their guests. Hand-stenciled walls, maple furnishings plus new carpeting and new beds all ensure a comfortable night’s sleep. The grounds with a mill pond and waterfall provide a fantastic natural habitat for Native Brown Trout as well as a plethora of bird life.
Renovated Then Restored
Travel north to Maine and you will find the once again restored Trebor Mansion Inn in Guilford. Owners Robert and Zarvin Shaffer spent three years of hard labor and money, restoring the Queen Anne Victorian building, only to see it reduced to a smoldering ice encrusted shell in 2004. Once again they began rebuilding the historic structure and reopened this past summer for guests. They are restoring original Moses Eaton stencils found after the fire, but everything else, including a new slate roof, from the same quarry as the original one, has been completed. Bed and breakfast guests will be treated to great tales and tours chronicling the building’s fascinating history and will enjoy modern amenities as well all the many offerings of Maine’s Highlands/Lakes Region.
World's Fair Staircase
New Jersey’s Ocean House in Spring Lake has been serving guests for over 100 years. Owner Nancy points out the beautiful three-story circular design staircase that was part of the 1876 World’s Fair in Philadelphia. She and husband Dennis continue the gracious hospitality tradition begun a century ago, although they have redecorated with designer fabrics, as they seek to provide today’s traveler with the most modern amenities.
The Inn of Cape Cod
http://www.iloveinns.com/bed_and_breakfasts/massachusetts/innatcapecod.htm
The Ocean House
http://www.iloveinns.com/bed_and_breakfasts/new_jersey/oceanhouse-of-springlake.htm
Winterwood at Petersham Bed and Breakfast
http://www.iloveinns.com/bed_and_breakfasts/massachusetts/winterwoodpetersham.htm
Genesee Country Inn
http://www.iloveinns.com/bed_and_breakfasts/new_york/genesee.htm
Trebor Mansion
http://www.iloveinns.com/bed_and_breakfasts/maine/trebor.htm
Still undecided? Go to www.iloveinns.com and browse through the 19,000 B&Bs and country inns across the USA and Canada to find the one that may interest you. Many of the properties listed above are also in the best-selling bed and breakfast guidebook Bed & Breakfasts and Country Inns with a Buy-One-Night-Get-One-Night-Free Certificate. ILoveInns also offers Bed and Breakfast Gift Certificates, a perfect solution to help celebrate any occasion.
About American Historic Inns and iLoveInns.com
American Historic Inns, Inc. (www.iloveinns.com), founded in 1981, is the leading publisher of bed & breakfast guidebooks, with more than 2.5 million bed & breakfast guidebooks sold, and runs iLoveInns.com, a top bed & breakfast and country inns directory.
Note: For photos or interviews, please contact Marcia Rockwood at 949-497-2232, ext. 301
