1872 Denham Inn

The 1872 Denham Inn is located in Monticello, Florida. There are seven rooms at the inn, one of which is a separate carriage house that can sleep up to five people. Generally, every room includes a television with Netflix, ironing boards, hairdryers, robes, and slippers. The carriage house, however, is more equipped for those who are planning on staying for slightly more extended periods of time, providing guests with amenities such as a microwave, a refrigerator, and an oven. The home was originally constructed in 1872 but wasn't converted into a lodging enterprise until 2000.

About

The 1872 Denham Inn rests near the center of town in Monticello, Florida. The property is a two-story, 1800s building with white columns and grey roofing. A small lookout room sits on top of the property. The inn contains seven rooms, four rooms are located on the second floor of the house, and two are on the first floor. The seventh unit is a separate carriage house that can provide living space for up to five people. The names of the various rooms in the inn are Jefferson's Blue Room, Library Room, Gold Suite, Camillia Room, Magnolia Room, Lacy Room, and the Wee Bairn. Each room is decorated with different motifs, though the general theme of the inn is comprised of styles from the late 19th century. Nearly every room in the inn has a different light pastel color adorning the walls, ranging from soft blues to bright yellows. Amenities at the 1872 Denham Inn are varied from room to room. For example, the Camillia Room has a fireplace and a claw-foot bathtub. The Library Room contains a small library, as its name so aptly describes. Generally, however, the rooms include televisions with Netflix installed, ironing boards, hairdryers, robes, and slippers.

The carriage house—the Wee Bairn—is equipped for more extended stays, including features such as a microwave, refrigerator, coffee maker, toaster oven, dishes, and a garbage disposer. Outside, the 1872 Denham Inn contains a small yard (roughly one acre) where guests can lounge. There is a picket fence and swings for the children. One of the more unique aspects of the property is its age. Though the building itself dates back to the late 1800s, the interior has been restored so that the features of the property are up to the standards of the twenty-first century. Another unique aspect of the inn is that it serves somewhat as a bed and breakfast. Complimentary breakfast is provided every morning by the owner Patricia Inmon. Such breakfasts are described by her as "a local breakfast" and "a three-course fine dining breakfast." Typically, she serves dishes such as eggs, local sausage, and some sort of baked items such as eggnog french toast. She makes everything from scratch and uses local ingredients. Nearly always, locally-grown fruit which is in season is used. Coffee that has been locally ground is also available upon request. The 1872 Denham Inn is close to the center of the city of Monticello. Either within the town or close by, guests can participate in activities such as shopping, kayaking, biking, or visiting festivals.

Culture

The desired culture of the 1872 Denham Inn is that of relaxation, peace, and safety. Patricia Inmon, who owns the property, is personally invested in making sure that those goals are met at her property. Her biggest priority is to provide the kind of experience which would inspire her guests to come back to her property. Additionally, she cooks the breakfasts herself, adding to her personal touch on the experiences that her guests have. Many guests have commented on her hospitality and the breakfasts at the inn. One visitor said, "We very much enjoyed our recent stay. Ms. Pat and her staff were friendly, courteous, and professional. The room and bath were comfortable and clean." Another said that this is "a very charming inn, impeccably clean, and a wonderful breakfast. The inn was centrally located within walking distance of restaurants and shops. The innkeeper was friendly and informative." The inn is family-friendly, allowing for small children and pets to stay in the building as well. Many people come to the 1872 Denham Inn as they are traveling from one city to another. The inn is only a few minutes north of Interstate 10, meaning that the building serves as a "stopping point" for vacationers and people who are traveling for other purposes. There are also a handful of festivals that take place each year in Monticello, Florida, such as the Watermelon Festival and the Christmas Festival. The 1872 Denham Inn is open year-round, and their busiest seasons are in the spring and in the fall.

History

The 1872 Denham Inn was initially constructed in 1872, as its name suggests. The early history of the property is relatively unknown, apart from the fact that it was owned for a time by a merchant who shipped cotton from the south of the United States to New York City to the north. Due to the old nature of the building, it has been placed in the National Historic Register. A woman by the name of Patricia Inmon took ownership of the building, and in the year 2000, she decided to convert it into a bed and breakfast. Her neighbor had owned a different home, which she had operated as an inn, which gave Patricia the same inspiration to do it when her neighbor left the industry. Pat made the necessary conversions and has been the sole owner of the inn ever since. The property opened under the name John Denham House Bed & Breakfast, but with the addition of more rooms, it is now considered to be more of an "inn." Patricia changed the name to 1872 Denham Inn to reflect that change.