WOW! 2018 was a big year for changes around the Inn.  We did way more renovating, painting, landscaping, and expanding then we expected to do.

It all started toward the end of 2017 when we realized we had a great opportunity to expand the business (More on the expansion in just a bit).  First we had to renovate the Harpers Ferry Suite.  This suite was one of the original guest rooms when the house was turned into a bed and breakfast over thirty years ago and desperately needed some updating. Fortunately there was no carpet or wallpaper to remove so the project moved right along.  We are very pleased with the bathroom project and would like to thank Anne Marie & Marty of Uphome Renovations, LLC for the tremendous work they did.  Another ‘Thank you’ goes to Antietam Wood Floors for repairing and restoring the hardwood floors.

 

Once the weather started to break we moved outside for some yard work.  We called in Jay’s Tree & Landscaping Service to remove some dying trees along the property line and we worked for over a month tearing out the old fence and brush that lined the back alley.  After adding several yards of top soil, the backyard is nicely sloped and the green grass has taken off.

 

 

 

 

 

 

As most of you know, 2018 has gone down for being one of the wettest years in history.  We had 130 days of precipitation coming in at over 50 inches of rain.  Needless to say it was not a good year to decide to paint the Inn but we did.  We started in July… and we’re still not done.  We had to suspend operations by Thanksgiving as the temperatures began to drop, but as soon as weather warms up the last part of the Inn and spring house will be finished.  One of our local painters, Lucas Turner has done an outstanding job and was able to work around the weather.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These Colonial Williamsburg colors have given the place a whole new look.  The body of the buildings are painted a  Tavern Gray.   We used Tyler Gray to distinguish the window slashes and Mopboard Black for the trim and accent areas.  All the porch ceilings have a traditional Pearl Blue shade to ward off insects and birds.  We can’t wait til spring to finish it up.

Back to the expansion of the business…  As this year came to a close we were able to focus on achieving one of our start up goals.  We are both big on planning and one of the objectives on our five year plan was to have a large space for a gift shop.

After some packing and rearranging things in the old basement dress shop room we now have a large space to expand our gift shop. We gave this ground floor or sidewalk level of the Inn a new look with a fresh coat of paint and it looks great.

We look forward to having it completed and the shop operating sometime this Spring.  While you are here for your stay be sure to check out the new Antietam Mercantile Company at the Inn.