PROGRESS & FUTURE PLANS
Over the past 25 years, the current
occupants have attempted to capture the character of this 1883
Italinate home with a number of additions and
improvements. During the past few years, children of the two most previous
owners have stopped by and/or stayed in the Inn to check on our progress. Two
daughters of Dr., and Mrs. Taylor, both were in their 80's, and three of Dr. and
Mrs. Dunn's grown children have been by to check on our progress. These visits
have provided first-hand information about the history of the house.
Picture
of screen porch and patio area
For example, it was learned
that in the 1930's Dr. Taylor had planted wild ferns he obtained from the Grove
Hill Plantation along the walkways. The off-spring of these ferns
were incorporated into the patio landscaping design
adjacent to one of the two goldfish ponds. An old lamp table has also been
acquired from the Taylor estate and has been placed in the parlor bay window,
where it was situated when the Taylor family occupied the home. The iron picket
fence and gates, erected in 1996, were designed by the current owner to appear
to have been erected many years ago to complement the architecture of the
house. Dr. Taylor's office area has also been combined with another area of the
house to provide an extra large two bedroom, two bath Garden Suite with a full
service kitchen and living room. This unit has direct access to a second patio
area with its own goldfish pond.
A three car garage has been
constructed, by the current owners, in the area where Dr. Taylor raised the
carriage house in the early 1920's. The Saxman
(Campbell) Clan has now owned the home for the second longest period of any of
the previous owners, (27 years) but, as of May 2003, still have another 15 years
to go in order to match the
Taylor family's ownership record of 42 years.
The Inn was initially permitted to operate five units. However, to
preserve the design and character of the house it was decided only to establish
two large suites, each with two bedrooms instead of “chopping” the bedrooms to
create five separate smaller units. This arrangement has worked well for our
guests since they can experience “yesterday’s” grand scale accommodations and
still receive “today’s” modern conveniences. The inn can serve a maximum of
sixteen guests in very private, luxurious and spacious historic
accommodations. The house is listed on the National Register of Historic
Places.
Picture of Front Parlor
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