Inn for all seasons

Casual elegance is found at Bucks County bed-and-breakfast EverMay-on-the-DelawareAn antique armoire and a handsome fireplace blend with Victorian chairs and

desks. Guests usually min­gle among themselves in the relaxing atmosphere.
Located in Erwinna, Pa., EverMay on-the-Dela­ware is nestled on 25 acres of
lush woodland and meadows and faces the gentle Delaware River.
As one approaches EverMay, the inn is viewed with its spacious front porch
sheltering a settee and rocking chairs. Stately pines, spreading maples and
exotic foliage provide shade to the broad stretch of lawn that faces the river’s
edge.
—>
By: GLORIA HAYES KREMER

Located


in Erwinna, Pa., EverMay on-the-Dela­ware is nestled on 25 acres
of lush woodland and meadows and faces the gentle Delaware River.

As


one approaches EverMay, the inn is viewed with its spacious
front porch sheltering a settee and rocking chairs. Stately
pines, spreading maples and exotic foliage provide shade to
the broad stretch of lawn that faces the river’s edge.

Photos


by Photo by Frank Wojciechowski

   Many savvy travelers know
that Pennsylvania’s bucolic Bucks County has an overwhelming number
of superb country inns and bed-and-breakfast accommodations.
   In the last decade, the popularity of these laid-back
hostelries has soared due to the gracious atmosphere and the "home
away from home" hospitality of the hosts who create these comfortable
retreats.
   Mary Alice Hamilton, a partner at Bed & Breakfast
Connection of Philadelphia (who also places her clients in the surrounding
counties) noted, "It is quite remarkable that in the last five years,
our business has tripled. In addition to the visitor who wants a relaxing
getaway, we found a tremendous increase among convention goers and business
travelers who choose to stay in a B & B or country inn instead of a
traditional hotel."
   One such quintessential inn is EverMay on-the-Delaware.
Located in Erwinna, Pa., midway between Philadelphia and New York City and
13 miles north of New Hope, the inn was built in the early 1700s and is
nestled on 25 acres of lush woodland and meadows and faces the gentle Delaware
River.
   In 1871, the three-story inn was greatly enlarged and
remodeled. It was originally a family summer retreat for the Stover family
who retained it until 1981 when it was sold and opened as a country inn.
The two innkeepers, Ron Strouse and Fred Cresson, were antique lovers and
filled the inn with exquisite Victorian collectibles. They had previously
owned Sign of the Sorrel House in Doylestown, Pa., serving innovative meals
to their guests and establishing a praise worthy reputation.
   In addition to the tender loving care the two men poured
into every aspect of EverMay, Mr. Strouse, a gourmet cook, created and offered
one-of-a-kind dinners on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings. Word quickly
spread and EverMay soon had a reputation for both wonderful hospitality
and cuisine. Overnight guests and discriminating diners came from New York,
Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and Washington, D.C., to savor
the "EverMay experience."
   Six years ago, Danielle and William Moffly, real estate
practitioners from the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia, decided they
were ready for a lifestyle change. "We looked all over for an inn…from
Maine to New Jersey. For a time, we had lived in Solebury and had dinner
at EverMay. When we learned the inn was for sale, we knew this was what
we were looking for."
   The couple purchased the inn and now live on the premises.
   As one approaches EverMay, along a quiet stretch of River
Road (Route 32), the inn is viewed with its spacious front porch sheltering
a settee and rocking chairs. Stately old pines, spreading maples and exotic
foliage provide shade to the broad stretch of lawn that faces the river’s
edge.
   Guests agree the Mofflys have continued the high quality
of attention to detail and impeccable service.
   "We’ve been able to retain many of the former
staff at EverMay; they are such wonderful, dedicated workers," Ms.
Moffly said.
   "We also added a few features, renovated and enlarged
our outside garden terrace and purchased more antiques," she continued.
"We recently planted a wildflower meadow and the flowers are just bursting
now — corn flowers, black eyed Susans, daisies and poppies."
   EverMay offers 18 guest rooms spread throughout the property:
11 rooms in the main building, two rooms and two sites in the Carriage House,
one room in the cottage and two suites in the barn. A fourth floor loft
suite was added in the main building.
   Another new feature is the addition of the two luxury
suites on the second floor of the barn. "Each suite has a contemporary
design," explained Ms. Moffly, "we found some business guests
prefer this decor." The new bathrooms in these suites are spacious
with huge skylights and whirlpool baths.
   Each room at EverMay is named for a Bucks County personality
and is furnished with lovely antiques; all have private baths and telephones.
There are handsome walnut beds, marble-topped dressers, period prints on
the walls, oriental rugs, ironing boards and irons — and many rooms
have fireplaces.
   Guests can choose king or queen size beds. Attractive
textured headboards on the beds were designed by the Mofflys’ daughter,
Nicole Arnold, an artist who lives nearby.
   In the rooms, guests will find fresh flowers, a selection
of fruit, and at turn-down time, candy and a liqueur in a cordial glass.
At 4 p.m. each afternoon in the double parlor/drawing room, tea is served
with a variety of scones, cookies, cakes or tea sandwiches. In the evening,
sherry is offered in the parlor before dinnertime.
   A grand piano rests near a grandfather clock which was
assembled from parts of an old boat. An antique armoire and a handsome fireplace
blend with Victorian chairs and desks — and guests usually mingle among
themselves in the relaxing atmosphere.
   Just off the center hall, the main dining room has attractive
new draperies and matching upholstered chairs. Sparkling crystal, fine china
and silverware, along with flowers and candles, adorn every table.
   When the dinner clientele overflows (which it often does),
guests dine in the Garden Room which overlooks the terrace. It is a charming
place to dine, intimate and cozy. It holds only five tables and is cheerful
and bright with its brick floor, potted oxlip plants and long windows with
views of the flowering gardens. (Gorgeous sunsets look like a painting ordered
from central casting.)
   The prix fixe dinner ($68 per person) includes a glass
of champagne as the six-course meal is served by the wait staff. The choice
of entree is all that diners must make; the rest of the gourmet dinner is
set for everyone.
   Next to the Garden Room is the Conservatory, an intimate
nook, where a pleasant breakfast is served each morning (the compote of
fresh fruit is memorable). If a guest stays two nights at the inn and chooses
to have dinner there each night, EverMay’s chef, John Vink, will prepare
a second menu.
   The Italianate Victorian style inn offers almost a sense
of time warp. "The minute we enter EverMay," said Lori and Eddie
Forstein of Princeton, "our internal clocks seem to slow down. It is
so peaceful here it just seems to rejuvenate our spirits." The couple,
who were married here two years ago, came in June to celebrate Ms. Forstein’s
birthday. "We have many family celebrations here," her husband
added. "It’s so relaxing yet invigorating at the same time."
The invigorating time for this couple was spent in an early morning walk
along the river’s edge.
   Small corporate groups (maximum 30 people), often meet
at EverMay with facilities and additional meals accommodated.
   EverMay seems the perfect venue for celebrations, like
weddings which are performed in one of several settings. Joanne and William
Keating of Deptford recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary and
commented, "This is truly old-fashioned hospitality."
   The inn is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Its guest list has included: Robert de Niro, Norman Lear, James Taylor and
members of the Barrymore family.
   And what is there to do here, one may ask? Many things
— or nothing at all. Guests can enjoy croquet on the manicured lawn.
A five-minute walk from the inn finds a delightful shop, Chatchka, with
all kinds of crafts, foods and interesting art offerings. Nearby, there
are bike rentals in Frenchtown, tubing on the Delaware, shopping in New
Hope and Lambertville, canal barge rides, live theater, fishing and antique
shops.
   Of historic interest is Washington Crossing State Park,
Pearl S. Buck’s home, and the Michener and Mercer museums in Doylestown.
   Also, a pleasant but longer drive from the inn finds Valley
Forge National Park.
   Room rates are from $145-$350 per night and include breakfast
and afternoon tea. (From January to mid-April, guests choosing to dine at
the inn receive half off the regular room rate.) For more information, write
to: EverMay on the Delaware, River Road, PO Box 60, Erwinna, PA 18920 or
call (610) 294-9100 or e-mail: [email protected]
or check the Web Site: www.evermay.com.
   EverMay’s weekday guests interested in other dining
options can check out the following restaurants: Centre Bridge Inn, New
Hope, (215) 862-2048; Sign of the Sorrel Horse, Doylestown, (215) 230-9999;
Golden Pheasant Inn, Erwinna, (610) 294-9595; Hotel du Village, New Hope,
(215) 862-9911; Plumsteadville Inn, (215) 766-7500; Lambertville Station,
(609) 397-8300; La Bonne Auberge, New Hope, (215) 862-2462; and Hamilton’s
Grill Room, Lambertville, (609) 397-4343.
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