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Storied Stays Imagine if walls could talk at these historic inns John Rutledge House Inn Bed & Breakfast Charleston, South Carolina While many inns have hosted notable historical figures, only one can claim that parts of The U.S. Constitution were drafted within its walls. At the John Rutledge House Inn, John Rutledge, head of The Constitution drafting committee, crafted early versions of our nation’s founding documents. The fingerprints of Founding Fathers don’t stop there–George Washington himself was among the esteemed house’s dinner guests. And if that wasn’t enough notable history, legend has it She-Crab Soup, an iconic Charleston dish, was created at the Rutledge House to impress President William Taft. The soup uses crab roe for added flavor and its distinct orange color. More on page 68. Hickory Bridge Farm Restaurant and Bed & Breakfast Orrtanna, Pennsylvania Like most buildings over 400 years old, Hickory Bridge has lived many lives. From a working farm to distillery, smithy to restaurant, this Orrtanna bed and breakfast embodies good bones. Lest the building gets all the credit, owner Mary Lynn Martin comes from an equally impressive hospitality background. Her family’s first property, The Fairfield Inn, was recognized in the 1975 edition of Select Registry’s guidebook, Country Inns and Back Roads. Hickory Bridge is particularly known for its family-style meals, bringing friends together at the on-site restaurant. “It is a special place to step back in time, to embrace what is important, and to break bread with those we cherish,” says Martin. More on page 64. A Storybook Inn Versailles, Kentucky This sprawling two-story Victorian Classic estate has been a piece of Kentucky history since the 1830s. Founded by the notable Amsden family, the estate remained in their hands for over a century. Historically known as Sunny Hollow, the inn has always felt like a fairytale, complete with a darling playhouse, stone pond, English-style courtyard and soaring turret. The Storybook’s latest chapter focuses on restoration. Owner C. Elise Buckley oversaw two massive renovation projects to maintain the property’s historic integrity while transforming it into a world-class bed and breakfast. More on page 43. Queen Victoria Bed & Breakfast Cape May, New Jersey Three 1800s-era historic buildings make up the Queen Victoria Bed & Breakfast. “Each building has its own charm,” says general manager Jamie Harvey, noting the wraparound porch at the Prince Albert building, the House of Royals’ building ocean-view balconies, and the Queen Victoria building’s French-inspired mansard roof. These historic flourishes fit flawlessly in Cape May, a seaside city with the largest collection of Victorian-era homes outside of San Francisco. At the Queen Victoria, you can stay in the heart of the historic district and just one block from the beach for the ultimate royal treatment. More on page 55. Gingerbread Mansion Inn Ferndale, California Behind its peach-and-cream exterior, The Gingerbread Mansion Inn has long offered sanctuary to those who visit. Built in 1895 by Dr. Hogan J. Ring, the distinct Eastlake and Queen Anne Victorian-style home was later expanded and converted into the Ferndale General Hospital. “For many guests, the most meaningful part of their visit is getting to see their family members’ birthplace,” says owner Seta Mesrobian. “A significant number of babies were born in the mansion.” The architectural preservation, authentic feel and (guest favorite) English Garden all make the Gingerbread Mansion Inn a must-visit. More on page 35. Devereaux Shields House Natchez, Mississippi Every night on the 700 block of Natchez, Mississippi, three historic homes light window candles, signaling a warm welcome to travelers. This is just one tradition at the Devereaux Shields House that guests love about the 10-room, boutique bed and breakfast. The inn’s three homes are all on the same block and “we are just a few small-town blocks from the heart of downtown and breathtaking views of the mighty Mississippi River,” adds owner Ron Fry. Stay in your pick of the restored Victorians: the Main House–with luxurious two-room king suites, Aunt Clara’s Cottage, or the Bost House–which garnered the owners a Natchez Historic Foundation award for restoration efforts in 2021. More on page 53.
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