|
The
Gables was designed and built in 1889 by prominent Philadelphia
architect Willis Hale and became the home of Dr. Egan and his family.
After the doctor's death in 1901, his widow made an extensive renovation
of the home, probably eliminating his offices. It was passed on
to a second generation of Egans, their daughter who was married
to a Broadway show producer. When she died in 1936, the home was
willed to the Catholic Church. The Church renovated the home to
become a boarding house for the elderly. In the 50's the use changed
to accommodate a group of laywomen known as "The Grail."
Then in the mid 60's the Jesuits moved in and extensively renovated
the home again, taking out the Victorian influences and "modernizing."
Their modernization included wall to wall carpeting, flourescent
lighting, painting much of the cherry woodwork, and even building
walls where walls never exited. In 1991 a local real estate agent
and her husband purchased the home from the Jesuits with the idea
that a bed and breakfast would be good for the neighborhood. It
would also be a way to restore and save this beautiful edifice.
The current owners bought the home in 1993, continued the restoration
of the home and created one of the finest bed and breakfasts in
Philadelphia.
Guests
are often found sitting on the magnificent wrap-around porch or
in the garden reading the morning paper or perhaps a good book selected
from the many available throughout the house. The yard with its
ever blooming perennial garden is a favorite spot shaded by a stately
old Norway maple and blossoming dogwood, Japanese cherry, crab apple
and magnolia.
 The
home features natural chestnut and cherry woodwork throughout the
first floor parlors, dining room, and entrance foyer. Each room
has oak floors with remarkable inlay of mahogany, ash, and cherry.
Deep rich gemtone colors have been chosen for the walls to accentuate
the woodwork. Some rooms are finely adorned with true Victorian
stenciling, others with exquisite period wallpaper. An extensive
collection of fine antique furniture from the late 19th century,
plush oriental carpets, and minute detailing create a rich treasure
for the eye in each room of the house.
Guests
are taken back to the beauty of the Victorian era while at the same
time they can enjoy 21st century comfort of new bathrooms, cable
television, internet access and much more.
The
gleaming oak floors with inlays invite guests into the warm, welcoming
rooms. Oriental style carpets accentuate the rich pallet of color
chosen for the walls. Each guest will be delighted in the comfort
and beauty of the lavishly furnished and sparklingly clean rooms.
Most rooms have private baths and some even have working gas fireplaces
to add an ambiance of romance.
The
owners and innkeepers Don Caskey and Warren Cederholm are dedicated
to making your stay in their home as comfortable and gracious as
you might expect when you step back into the era of Victorian Splendor.
|
