1814 B&B brought back to life
An historic building in Cornwall, Ontario in California is being brought back to life after falling on hard times. When Robert Prowse purchased Chesley’s Inn it was in pretty rough shape.
“When I turned the water on, it was like Niagara Falls,” said Mr Prowse. “Water was pouring through the ceiling.”
Chesley’s Inn was erected by a War of 1812 veteran at the end of the war in 1814 and had been sitting empty for three years.
It had been left to freeze in winter, and the plumbing and heating systems had been destroyed.
Since buying the inn and moving in this past spring, Prowse has spent much time and money revitalizing the building, repairing plumbing and heating, and will soon be putting heating in the basement.
Mr Prowse’s work to bring the inn back to life has delighted local history buffs, and when the Inn officially reopens it will be the oldest operating Inn in Ontario. Members of Cornwall’s Municipal Heritage Committee presented Prowse and the inn with a heritage plaque last month to commemorate the effort to revitalise one of the oldest buildings in the city.
In many ways this heritage project is a completely new direction for Mr Prowse. He needed a change after working in television production for TV Ontario for many years.
“The company offered a package, and I took it,” said Mr Prowse. When he saw the opportunity to purchase the Inn, he thought he could make it work. “Hotels sell a commodity,” said Mr Prowse. “Inns sell an experience.”
The Inn contains original flooring and fixtures. Prowse is going to great lengths to ensure that everything matches the ambiance of the history of the building.
“I’ve purchased hot air balloon pictures for the front lobby,” said Mr Prowse. “They are originals from 1838 to 1873.”
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