Liberty Hall Bed and Breakfast

Pendleton, South Carolina, is home to the Liberty Hall Bed and Breakfast. The property is about four miles away from Clemson University, which is one of South Carolina's notable universities. In addition to the various lakes and hiking trails in the area, guests can choose to explore the historic town of Pendleton. There are ten rooms available at the bed and breakfast, each including a private bathroom, TV, and coffee maker. Common areas in the house include a sunroom, a TV room, a dining area, wrap-around porches, and an outdoor deck. The house was built in 1849 by Thomas Major Sloan as a family residence. Due to the historic nature of the building, the home has been renovated several times while maintaining its historic architecture and features. Liberty Hall Bed and Breakfast is open year-round, and peak season is when events are happening at Clemson University, such as NCAA football weekends.

About

Liberty Hall Bed and Breakfast, located in Pendleton, South Carolina, is owned and operated by partners Andy and Devon Rymer, and Michael and Angela Chunka. In the house, there are a total of ten rooms available for reservation. Each unit includes a private bathroom. Of the ten rooms, eight have showers, while two have clawfoot tubs. Most rooms feature king size bedding, while room 6 has two queen beds, able to accommodate up to four visitors. All of the accommodations have TVs, coffee machines, and noise-canceling devices. Andy says that each room has a unique floor plan and decorative designs. The owners remark that their most popular room among guests is the Bridal Veil, which has access to a private porch. Andy describes the whole house as having “modern features within a traditional setting of the historic home.”

Additional areas in the bed and breakfast that patrons can utilize include a dining room, sunroom, TV room, wrap-around porches, and outdoor decks. Additionally, two pickleball courts are located on the premises for further recreation. 

Complimentary to each guest’s stay is breakfast. Typical dishes served include fruit and yogurt parfaits or apply crips as the first course. The second course includes some creme brule, french toast, orange ricotta pancakes with bacon, and egg benedict with jalapeno cheese grits. Special diets and/or food allergies are generally accommodated. Breakfast is served daily in the dining room at 8:30 AM.

Liberty Hall Bed and Breakfast is located on 3 acres of land with relatively large shade trees, grassy areas, and decorative planters throughout the yard. Leading up to the house is a paved driveway that has parking areas close to the entrance. There are various amenities on the premises, including pickleball courts, a raised entertainment stage, wedding gazebo, and firepits. The stage can be utilized for various performances, with plans of hosting music festivals at the property. 

Culture

Andy, one of the owners, says that the Liberty Hall Bed and Breakfast is "a great venue for weddings, birthdays, graduation, parties, and even celebrations of life receptions.” There are various packages that are available for weddings, where they group the room accommodations with wedding festivities such as rehearsal dinners, ceremonies, and receptions. When weddings are hosted at the premises, all ten rooms are available to be reserved by the group for a two-night stay. Areas specifically designated for this type of event include the wedding gazebo, reception venue, and use of the property for wedding photos.

Policies for the Liberty Hall Bed and Breakfast include no pets, no smoking inside the house, and quiet hours starting at 10:00 PM, which applies to all the events hosted at the premises. “A relaxed getaway, at a slower pace, in a beautiful, friendly, small town” is the environment that Andy and his co-owners want for the Liberty Hall Bed and Breakfast. While staying at the property, the owners want their patrons to experience a “taste of history” staying in a South Carolina historic registered home. All the owners of the Liberty Hall Bed and Breakfast enjoy interacting and meeting with those who stay at the property. “We’re a foursome that enjoys making our guests feel welcomed and at home during their stay,” says Andy. One previous patron of the property left a review of the business, saying, “This little bed and breakfast is absolutely amazing. I made an impromptu stop due to car troubles, and the staff here welcomed me with open arms and treated me like family. Everyone was welcoming and accommodating.”

Liberty Hall Bed and Breakfast is located near Lake Hartwell, which Andy says is popular with fishermen and boaters. The town of Pendleton and Liberty Hall is listed on South Carolina's Historic Registry, says Andy. Due to this, tourism in the town is a draw for visitors that stay at the property. Other attractions include the Blue Ridge mountains, Lake Jocassee, Lake Keowee, and various hiking trails and historic landmarks. The town of Pendleton is also home to several restaurants, including Blue Heron, Smokin Pig, and 1826 Bistro. Swamp Fox Distillery and Mam Rae's Ice Cream Shoppe are also "town highlights," says Andy. 

The success of the business has been attributed by Andy to “going above and beyond to ensure guests feel comfortable and satisfied upon departure.” The business is open year-round, with the best season generally being around Clemson University events, such as their football season and graduation ceremonies. Specifically, the busy season is between August through November and March through June. Those who tend to stay at the property during that time are parents of college students or college visitors.

History

Regarding the history of the property, the house was constructed in 1840 and finished in 1849 by Thomas Major Sloan, a local farmer with a relatively larger family. Benjamin Bonnuea Harris was the second owner of the building, who was a dairy farmer as well as the Commissioner of Agriculture for the state of South Carolina. Since being built, the house has passed through many different owners and has been everything from a large family home, student boarding house, restaurant, and bed and breakfast inn. 

Andy, one of the owners, remarks that the inside has been “completely renovated.” They have kept the architecture the same, such as the 14-foot ceilings on the first floor and 12-foot on the second floor and the large wrap-around porches. Other features that have been preserved include the hardwood floors, fireplace mantels, and the original staircase banister.