New Life for Cherryfield Landmark
The Archibald-Adams House, built in 1793, is one of the
oldest houses in Cherryfield and has
been placed on the National Register of Historic Places. This classic foursquare Federal home at 122
Main Street was built by Thomas Archibald in the then “modern” New English Adam
style, and although this was also the style of the highway taverns of the day,
this mansion was constructed as a family home and housed Archibalds, Adamses
and Campbells and their Celtic-American descendents until the mid-1900s.
Like most old houses, this one, locally known as the Adams
House, underwent renovations and updates over the course of two centuries that
reflected new ideas and modern technologies.
Not all these “improvements” were kind to the house. Then in the 1990s the house fell into loving
and knowledgeable hands and its original conservative post-revolutionary
interior decoration was restored. A
modern country kitchen was added, fireplaces were once again exposed and the
house was returned to its original colonial splendor.
It seems entirely fitting that the house is once again in
the hands of a person from the British Isles, Englishman Peter Winham and his
wife Kathy. The Winhams met in England
on an archeological dig and lived on the plains of South Dakota for twenty
years where they worked at their profession and raised their family. It was the desire for a change of geography
that prompted them to consider moving to New England. As a teenager, Kathy had lived in Connecticut
and now, as an empty-nester, she wanted to return east. She had little trouble selling Peter on the
idea.
After a fruitless search for archeology positions, they
began an Internet search for a place that would provide both a home and a
living. In the autumn of 2004 they
visited the Adams House on the last day of looking at possibilities in
Washington County. The house spoke to
their archeologists’ hearts and in January of 2005 they moved in with Mickey,
the friendly house cat, and boxes and boxes of “stuff,” but little
furniture. Then began a crash course in
period decorating and the work of creating a unique Bed and Breakfast.
Like native Mainers, the Winhams use the side entrance and
stepping into the Englishman’s B & B is like stepping back in time, with
subtle differences. The house is
furnished with antiques and period pieces culled from local shops, auctions and
estate sales. Quality reproductions fill
in the gaps and touches of chinoiserie, as might be found in any such stately
home in a New England sea-faring village, strike just the right note of
sophistication, restrained elegance and country charm.
The guest lounge originally served as the Archibald’s formal
parlor and later as Judge Joseph Adams’ courtroom. In the closet museum one can see the judge’s
court log book documenting in his own handwriting what transpired there between
1819-1835. The book has pride of place
in the collection of relics on display and was reportedly found under a floorboard
in the attic when the house was renovated in the 1990s. A complete history of the house is available
for perusal over a cuppa, for here in the lounge guests are also treated to tea
in the English tradition.
Officially, tea is served to guests who arrive by five
o’clock, but being English, Peter can be persuaded to make tea at almost any
hour. Teas of Cherryfield is another new
venture for the Winhams and dovetails nicely with the Bed and Breakfast
business. They distribute gourmet teas
at wholesale and retail and serve the fresh-brewed beverage to their guests
along with a variety of elegant teacakes, including the scones and Eccles cakes
for which Peter’s native land is justly famous. Being in Cherryfield, the Wild Blueberry
Capitol of the World, one is not surprised to find blueberry pound cake and
blueberry muffins on the teacart as well.
In the Keeping Room, guests may choose a complete English
breakfast – a hearty offering of eggs, bacon, sausage, fried tomato, baked
beans and fried potatoes – or just about anything else they may desire. The Winhams aim to please and “since we’re
small, we can take personal care of guests preferences,” they say, thinking
perhaps of customizing their service to provide just what the guest requires,
including, but not limited to, catering to special diets, providing car service
or taking guests to places of special interest.
They hope to develop services that will fill a niche market and are
presently feeling their way along to discover just what their particular niche
will be.
It could be as simple as providing a front row seat for
watching bald eagles fishing on the Narraguagus River that runs behind the
property. The original
twelve-over-twelve windows in the spacious guest rooms provide spectacular
views of the river and in autumn and winter, eagles can often be seen perched
in the bare trees waiting for supper to swim within range. In warmer weather, both the veranda that
runs around half the house and the screened gazebo out in the yard provide
inviting venues for just settin’ a spell with a cup of tea and a good
view.
Especially agreeable guests might even get to see the old
Post Office - now part of the proprietor’s quarters – for the Winhams are
nothing if not enthusiastic about their new role as custodians of this museum
quality national landmark and their new and very welcome venture in historic
Cherryfield. For more information visit
on-line at www.englishmansbandb.com
and www.teasofcherryfield.com
or call 207-546-2337.
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