Historic Bed and Breakfast in Pennsylvania, the Birthplace of the Nation

Pennsylvania is called the Keystone State for its key role in the creation of our nation. Bed and breakfasts touched by history abound throughout the state, as do historic sites such as the Liberty Bell at Independence Hall, Gettysburg Battlefield and Fallingwater, Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural masterpiece.  Add to that the cultural attraction of fine museums, innovative restaurants, and world-class theater and music and you’ll find that it’s easy to spend a few days in Pennsylvania.  I Love Inns (www.ILoveInns.com) will help you choose a historic bed and breakfast for your stay.

Pennsylvania Century Farm near Pittsburgh

A 200-year-old family farm recognized for its environmental stewardship, Armstrong Farms Bed & Breakfast offers lodging in an 1816 farmhouse or in several cottages located on the 1000-acre working purebred cattle farm near the historic town of Saxonburg.  One cottage features a 100-year-old fieldstone fireplace and is furnished with mahogany antiques.  Wander to your heart’s content on the miles of trails available for hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, fishing or bird watching.

Washington Slept in Valley Forge

Our first president, George Washington, spent a cold winter in what is now Valley Forge Historical National Park, featuring reconstructed log huts of the Continental Army.  You can sleep much more comfortably at The Great Valley House of Valley Forge, a 300-year-old farmhouse just five minutes away.  Older than the house where Washington stayed during the encampment, this historic B&B retains many unique original features, including random-width wood floors, hand-forged iron hinges and a stone sink dating from pre-1700.  Breakfast is served in the pre-revolutionary kitchen in front of a 12-foot-wide walk-in fireplace. 

18th Century Style in Landenberg

Step back in time at the Winterthur estate or enjoy beautiful Longwood Gardens and the Wyeth Museum.  Stay at an 18th century estate home, the Cornerstone Bed & Breakfast Inn in picturesque Landenberg. Made of fieldstone by Quaker masons, the Cornerstone stands as a reminder of gracious style and elegance, with modern conveniences like Jacuzzi tubs, working fireplaces and cable TV in the guest rooms.  Every guest room is furnished with an antique bed topped by a comforting quilt.  You’ll never want to leave the serenity.

Charming Chadds Ford

Stroll through eight acres of woodland and award-winning gardens surrounded by trails at the Pennsbury Inn 1714 and dine in historic Chadds Ford at a number of imaginative restaurants.   Listed in the National Register, this country farmhouse B&B retains its colonial charm with slanted doorways, winding staircases and original fireplaces.  The common areas of this B&B are lovely; every guest will find their own quiet nook for relaxation and restoration.

In the Heart of the Brandywine Valley

On fifty country acres southwest of Philadelphia, Sweetwater Farm features a restored 1734 Quaker farmhouse and a formal 1815 Georgian wing.  The B&B is alive with history, having been a Civil War infirmary and on the Underground Railroad.  Seven guest rooms and seven cottages offer a range of accommodations, including pet- and child-friendly lodging. Relax on the back porch overlooking the lawn and pool or play eight-ball in the billiards room.  Gaze at the red barn and feel like you’ve stepped into a Wyeth painting!

Northeast to New Hope

A 1730 stone manor on twenty acres with a stone barn, natural pond and small stream, Holly Hedge Estate is northeast of Philadelphia near Doylestown and New Hope.  This B&B is furnished with classic Bucks County charm showcasing French, English and American antiques.  The estate is well-known for creating events to remember, from intimate weddings to grand benefits and corporate retreats, making use of two barns and an English courtyard for receptions and ceremonies.  The award-winning cuisine at the estate receives rave reviews from the guests.

Bucks County Oldest Continuously-run Inn

The historic Logan Inn is one of the five oldest in the country and the oldest continuously-run inn of Bucks County established in 1727.  The Inn’s fifteen guest rooms are furnished in classic colonial style with modern amenities like air-conditioning, cable and wireless access.  The tavern is located in the oldest section of the building and features original woodwork and fireplaces.  Enticing lunch and dinner selections are on the menu, along with restored murals in the bar and an imposing stained glass wall by a local artist in the Garden Room.  After a meal, walk to art galleries and antique shops, from the Inn’s downtown New Hope location.

Indulgence in a Historic Setting

At our final stop in historic Pennsylvania, lose yourself at Barley Sheaf Farm Estate and Spa, a luxurious destination estate spa surrounded by 100 acres of pasture and woodland in Bucks County.  Elegant whirlpool-equipped suites with fanciful names are available in the 1740 Manor House, the Stone Bank Barn, and the Guest Cottage.  The spa uses only all-natural ingredients for treatments offered in your suite for maximum privacy.  The grounds’ scenic walking paths wind through flower gardens, a swimming pool, ponds, and miniature horses and sheep.  A stay at this B&B will surely create a memory that will last a lifetime!

 

Still undecided? Log onto www.iloveinns.com and browse through the 19,000 B&Bs and country inns that specialize in other events and locations 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.