Spencer Silver Mansion is located in Havre de Grace, Maryland, and is owned and operated year-round by Carol. With a main house and a separate carriage house, it offers various accommodations. The main house features four bedrooms, two parlors, and a dining room. The carriage house provides a relatively private setting with a living room, kitchen area, and bedroom. Guests can utilize the wraparound porch that overlooks the garden area. Modern amenities like flat-screen TVs and wireless internet are available. Breakfast is served in the main house dining room. The mansion’s location allows relatively easy access to attractions, parks, theaters, restaurants, and shops.
The Spencer Silver Mansion, located in Havre de Grace, Maryland, consists of a main house and a separate carriage house. Four bedrooms, two parlors, and a dining room where guests can eat their meals are located in the main house. There is also a sitting area upstairs, meant to provide a space for relaxation. The wraparound porch offers views of the landscape with Adirondack chairs. In the summertime, those staying at the property can utilize the garden area, which is complete with a hammock and a table that is between more Adirondack chairs. Carol, the owner of the mansion, reports that they have a well-tended garden and plenty of seating areas throughout. This area allows patrons the ability to spend time outside if desired. Guests can engage in activities outside the accommodations, such as bocce ball and croquet. These activities are meant to provide patrons with entertainment without having to leave the property.
The carriage house provides a relatively private setting for guests since they do not share the building with other patrons. It includes a private bath, a kitchen area, a bedroom, and a living room with a remote control fireplace, cable TV, and a DVD player. The private bath features a jacuzzi tub and shower. The kitchen area is equipped with an oak table and chairs, a refrigerator, a two-burner stove, a sink, a microwave, a coffee pot, and a tea kettle. Visitors are provided with kitchen amenities, including flatware, corkscrews, and dishes. Additionally, the upstairs bedroom has a king bed. The carriage house also has its own private driveway, meant to provide more privacy for those staying in this accommodation.
Breakfast is served in the main house dining room for all guests but can be brought to those in the carriage house if they would prefer to eat there. The menu includes a variety of options such as fresh fruit, homemade muffins or bread, yogurt, cold cereals, and an entrée that typically changes daily. Special dietary accommodations can be made upon request if the staff is notified ahead of time. Throughout the day, visitors also have access to a coffee and tea station, a refrigerator with fresh fruit and candy, and daily fresh baked goods in their rooms.
Carol, the owner of Spencer Silver Mansion, has the goal that guests have a personalized and welcoming stay when at her property. Specifically, Carol aims to provide a place where visitors “feel at home.” She reports that she often spends time conversing with patrons, discussing the history of the town and the mansion itself, hoping to help visitors to connect with the property on a deeper level. In a review left about the property, one patron remarked, "Carol was so hospitable and an amazing cook. Delicious breakfast and baked goods added to our visit." Another review said, "We enjoyed our stay at the Spencer Silver Mansion. The rooms were big, clean, and spacious. Carol had left us some helpful brochures and maps."
The mansion is located near various attractions and activities, making it relatively easy for guests to explore the area. Restaurants, museums, and shops can be found within walking distance, providing options for entertainment and dining. There are three live theaters; several parks, including the nearby Susquehanna State Park and Tydings Park; and a free trolley service to help tourists navigate the town. Carol reports that the town of Havre de Grace is known for its community and events. Throughout the year, there are various parades, festivals, and celebrations, such as the Fourth of July parade, Mardi Gras parade, and a Gay Pride festival. The owner strives to keep guests informed about these events, hoping to help them fully immerse themselves in the local culture.
While the Spencer Silver Mansion does not host frequent events, they do accommodate small weddings, bridal showers, and parties upon request. However, the primary focus remains on providing a fairly comfortable and relaxing environment for guests to unwind.
The mansion has certain policies in place, such as a no-smoking policy inside the property and on the porches. However, smoking areas are available nearby for patrons who wish to smoke. The property is also pet-friendly, with specific guidelines and regulations provided to guests when making reservations.
Carol remarks that she focused on attention to detail during its restoration period, making sure to include antique light fixtures, stripping the paint, refinishing the floors, and restoring the porches and chimneys. Each room is decorated with reproduction wallpapers, and the owner’s extensive collection of antiques is meant to add to the historical ambiance of the mansion. Spencer Silver Mansion is open year-round and is well-known for its Christmas decorations, with every room adorned with fresh-cut trees and festive trimmings, reports Carol. The owner also remarks that she receives visitors who come during that time of year just for the holiday decorations.
The Spencer Silver Mansion has a history that dates back to its construction in 1896. The house was initially built for John Spencer, an entrepreneur who owned various businesses, including a fish packing business, a small hotel boarding house, and a furniture store, among others. In the mansion, the architectural design was based on plans created by George Barber, a renowned architect of the time, according to the current owner.
Constructed with granite sourced from a quarry near Fort Deposit, Maryland, Carol reports this allows the Spencer Silver Mansion to showcase the fine craftsmanship and attention to detail prevalent during that era. After John Spencer’s passing, the property was sold to the Silvers, who had a longstanding business relationship with the Spencer family. The Silvers cared for the mansion for 40 years.
Over the years, the mansion changed hands and underwent modernization. During that time, some original interior fixtures were removed. The property was converted into an apartment house before being sold to Dr. Jordan, a family physician. However, the Jordans soon decided to leave and sell the mansion.
In 1987, the current owners acquired the property with the intention of preserving its historical significance. They started on a relatively extensive restoration project, undoing previous modifications and returning the mansion to its original state. Changes included opening up the grand staircase, removing extra kitchens, restoring the inlaid parquet floors, and reinstalling antique light fixtures. The restoration efforts also extended to the porches, chimneys, and stone walls surrounding the property. Bathrooms were upgraded with jacuzzis and walk-in showers, and reproduction wallpapers were applied in hopes of enhancing the Victorian aesthetic. The owners, who had been collectors of antiques, furnished the mansion with their collection, as there were no antiques present when they acquired the property.
In 1990, the Spencer Silver Mansion was established as a bed and breakfast. Initially a part-time venture, it later transitioned into a full-time operation. The owners found joy in meeting and hosting guests, reporting that they have formed lasting friendships and sharing their historic homes with visitors.
200 S. Union Avenue
Havre de Grace, Maryland 21078
United States
Bed and Breakfast
Carol
