Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Herlong Mansion Bed and Breakfast is located in Micanopy, Florida. As its name suggests, the property is known for its history with the Herlong family, who inhabited the home starting in 1845. They converted the building's foundations as a farmhouse into the mansion that it is today, with Greek-inspired elements as its exterior décor. In addition to the mansion itself, there are two cottages on-site that can be reserved. With 11 rooms available in the main house, the total number of accommodations is 13. Each room is distinctly decorated and has a name that is derived from a flower or tree, such as the Rose Room, Azalea Suite, and Oak Room. Ownership of the Herlong Mansion Historic Inn belongs to Kim Shore, and the establishment is open year-round. Daily breakfasts are served as part of a reservation.
The Herlong Mansion Bed and Breakfast is located in the northern Florida town of Micanopy, a few miles south of Gainesville. The mansion itself contains eleven units, with an additional two cottages that bring the total room count to be thirteen. Each room at the establishment has a unique theme, and each one is named after a flower or tree. In the main house—the mansion—the rooms are called Camellia, Dogwood, Palm, Herlong, Rose, Azalea, Wisteria, Iris, Magnolia, Jasmine, and Oak. These units are classified as either rooms or suites. The remaining two reservable units on the premises come in the form of the Pump House Cottage and the Carriage House, which are also the only rooms that allow pets. Kim Shore, who owns the Herlong, has noticed that the Dogwood, Herlong, Carriage House, and Azaela units tend to be the most popular among her guests. The Dogwood and Herlong specifically are on the second floor and overlook the veranda, which sets them apart compared to the other rooms.
Though the rooms at the Herlong Mansion range somewhat in their features and amenities, there are a few aspects that they all share in common. Each room comes equipped with a private bathroom that includes a shower, is temperature-controlled by air conditioning and heat, and has access to property-wide Wi-Fi. A select few of the units have a bathtub or Jacuzzi tub as part of their bathrooms. It should be noted that only the Azalea Suite has wheelchair access, considering that the mansion is three stories tall and only has stairs.
Breakfast at the Herlong is served each day of the week. On weekdays, breakfast is open from 8 AM to 9 AM, and on weekends from 8:30 AM and 9:30 AM, respectively. Each of these breakfasts consists of three courses and is described by Kim as a "homemade from scratch southern meal." When visitors check in for their stay, the staff members at the mansion ask if there are any dietary restrictions or preferences. In such cases, the menu for the following morning can be adjusted.
The exterior of the Herlong Mansion is of specific note, given the prominent white Corinthian columns that frame the building's front. The red brick building is accented by white elements and surrounded by relatively spacious lawns and award-winning gardens. The setting that is created by the Herlong and its grounds provide the backdrop for weddings and other events held there.
Open year-round, the Herlong Mansion Bed and Breakfast sees its most visitors from October through April. The inn's owner, Kim Shore, explains that the peak season of operation is due to Florida's hot summers. The reasons for visiting the area vary from guest to guest. Some enjoy watching local football games at the nearby University of Florida, while others opt for participating in some local shopping or having some type of on-site event at the mansion, such as a family reunion.
Kim says that the mansion is equipped to handle everything from smaller "elopement" style weddings to larger weddings, due to the fact that the property includes two acres with "award-winning gardens and spacious lawns." Contact should be established with the bed and breakfast for any wedding-related preparations. The interior of the mansion has a dining room that seats 22, a parlor, and a relatively spacious entry. In addition, there is a long hall that is capable of seating 60. All these areas can be adapted for private parties, group lunches, or other activities.
Kim describes the desired atmosphere of the mansion to be "relaxed" and the town of Micanopy, Florida to be "historic" overall—not just the Herlong Mansion. "The small-town atmosphere and lack of televisions in each room help people to step back in time," Kim comments. There is one television in the parlor area in addition to a collection of board games for guests to pass the time if desired, Apart from this, the property focuses on allowing patrons to "disconnect" from their traditional routines.
One guest had the following remarks regarding their stay at the mansion: "We enjoyed relaxing on the balcony and walking around the town. The rooms are very clean and comfortable. The staff was very welcoming, friendly, and willing to ensure all our needs were met. The breakfast was amazing."
Before the property was incorporated into the lodging industry, the Herlong Mansion Bed and Breakfast was a farm home built in 1845. At the time, it only had two stories and was positioned along an Indian trading route. One of the earliest settlers of the home was Zeddy Clarence Herlong, along with his wife Natalie Simonton, when his previous home and business in Alabama suffered from extreme fire damage. He soon entered the local lumber industry and was able to accrue a fortune that enabled him to expand the farm home. These changes were completed by 1910, seeing the structure encased with Greek-inspired décor and brick construction. For a number of years, the Herlong family remained in the mansion and raised their six children, though eventually Natalie passed away, and Zeddy moved to Blackrock, South Carolina.
The Herlongs' mansion sat unused and vacant for a number of decades until a young couple purchased it in the 1980s with the intent of turning it into a bed and breakfast. It was owned by several different people in the ensuing years. In August of 2021, Kim Shore purchased the Herlong Bed and Breakfast.
Going forward, Kim plans for the Herlong Mansion to see an increase in community activities such as yoga classes, trivia nights, and occasionally opening to the public for lunches and dinner.
402 N.E. Cholokka Blvd.
Micanopy, Florida 32667
United States
Bed and Breakfast
Kim Shore
Herlong Family
