A Step Back in Time to the Victorian Era!
As you travel to the end of Cherry Street, right before Honeymoon Bridge, nestled behind the purple blossoms of the crepe myrtle trees, is the Historic Hambleton Inn Bed & Breakfast. This Waterfront gem was once an upper-class Victorian home built by a prominent Maryland shipbuilder, Edward Willey, for his large family of eight children in the mid-1800s. Current photographs do not do this completely restored historic waterfront home justice. You have to see in person all of the marvelous details that have been preserved in this home. From the moment you step foot, drive or boat onto the property you are transformed back in time. You enter into a white picket fenced yard and gated drive with horse head hitching posts on each side onto a cobblestone parking area. Then you walk onto the beautiful new wood deck overlooking the dock and St. Michaels Harbour. You then walk up the wooden steps onto the wooden porch with details such as Victorian-inspired light fixtures and door handle, historic hand-sawn balustrades and historic decorative brackets as you enter the nine-light wood entrance door. When you step onto the brick foyer, you can see a wooden beam in the dining room and a column in the sitting area carved by hand with a shipbuilders' tools. There are crystal chandeliers, beautifully upholstered chairs and antique tables, a working fireplace and a new porch with windows all around for waterfront views. Every detailed the complete restoration of this neglected historic home was intensively researched, thought out and planned from the Victorian era.
Of course, all the modern conveniences have been added like ensuite bathrooms with new indoor plumbing, jacuzzi tubs or copper soaking tub, small refrigerator/freezers in every room, closets, new electric wiring, new personal HVAC systems, new instant hot water heaters, soft mattresses and reupholstered and springs retied on chairs to mention a few of the improvements and modern comforts. Careful attention to adhering to Victorian details, colors, and design intent was made to maintain the spirit of this home as it was in the mid-1800s. Original wallpapers and paint colors have been uncovered and many archeological artifacts that have been unearthed have all been considered in redesigning this diamond in the rough unique waterfront home.
We have added wooden blinds to all windows and will have hand made custom coordinating window treatments that coordinate with our new comforters in each room by local interior designer Blue Willow Interiors. We have hired a professional innkeeper from Pennsylvania who has been in the industry for over 15 years. We believe that each guests' experience in our Waterfront Hambleton Inn Bed & Breakfast will truly be one they never forget and return year after year.