The Inn at Lincoln Square

Located in Gettysburg, Pennslyvania is The Inn at Lincoln Square. The property was originally built in 1824 and was operated by several owners before the current owners, Gus Zucco and Hillary Styer, took charge. The property owners allow people to reserve one or more of the five available units. Of the total rooms, three are king-bed suites located in the main house and two are townhouses. The buildings sit on less than a one-acre plot of land. Guests are to follow all of the rules and policies of the property, but if they require assistance, they can generally reach the owners during most hours of the day via phone. Moreover, various activities and attractions can be found in Gettysburg, and many pertain to the town's history.

About

The Inn at Lincoln Square is in Gettysburg, Pennslyvania, and is operated by Gus Zucco and Hillary Styer. A total of five units can be reserved, which include the three king-bed suites in the main house, while the other two units are attached to the house in two separate townhouses on the same property. The king-bed suites are located on the first, second, and third floors of the main house, and they can only sleep a maximum of two patrons. The townhouses on the same property are capable of accommodating up to six guests, depending on the unit. Additionally, the townhouses are the only ones with laundry machines included. Various amenities are available in each location, including but not limited to a furnished kitchen, a private bathroom, Wi-Fi, and a tv. The property also offers complimentary tea and coffee, but it should be noted that breakfast is currently unavailable. 

The home does not have common rooms designated for people to visit; however, there is a relatively small lobby inside the front entrance of the main building. A courtyard can also be found on the grounds, which Gus says is relatively small. Visitors are able to sit outside as there are benches and other tables set up. Vegetation and shrubbery decorate the property's courtyard. 

Culture

Gus, one of the owners of The Inn at Lincoln Square, says that he would like patrons to be able to experience its history during their stay at the property. According to Gus, a saying that they occasionally tell people is, "the home is their temporary Gettysburg address." Gus notes that he puts forth the effort to be available to patrons throughout the day as they can contact him via phone. In terms of events, previous guests have hosted family reunions and weddings at the inn. Additionally, other organizations have reserved the whole property for their event. Regarding weddings, Gus says that the property can host a maximum of 20 people. 

While people are staying at The Inn at Lincoln Square, a few policies and rules are expected to be followed, which intend to benefit all patrons. One of them is that smoking is not permitted anywhere on the property. Guests are to be respectful of others staying on the property, specifically regarding noise levels at night. Furthermore, depending on the size of the pet, some animals may be allowed to accompany visitors so long as the innkeepers grant permission for them to do so. Concerning service pets, guests are welcome to bring them. If a visitor is permitted to bring a pet, the animal must be attended to at all times or be in a cage. The ages of patrons are restricted to 18 years and older.

Attractions and activities are in fairly close proximity to the inn, though some require extra travel time. According to Gus, the city of Gettysburg has many "authentic" civil war shops. Beyond this, a fair amount of wineries and breweries can be found as well. Gus says that the paranormal activity industry in Gettysburg has been popular with previous guests who have gone on the available ghost tours. There are also history tours of Gettysburg, and Gus can help direct visitors to a guide. There is a National Apple Festival that happens the first two weekends of every October. An attraction that requires additional travel time is the Harpers Ferry West Virginia, which is about an hour away. Gus says that if a patron wants to go out to eat, he may recommend they go to the Farnsworth House, Dobbin House, or Food 101. Previous visitors who have stayed at the property have left reviews in regard to their stay at The Inn at Lincoln Square. One guest said, "The Rooms are very cozy, beautiful, and comfortable. Period-appropriate decor for this civil war tourist town. Excellent location in the center of town. One can walk to local shops, bars, and restaurants." Another person said, "It was an excellent location. The suite was spacious and lovely, with period furniture. Amenities included a detailed book of suggestions regarding tours, restaurants, and directions. The parking behind the inn was convenient, and Gus, the owner, was very accommodating." 

The Inn at Lincoln Square is open year-round, while the busiest season of operation has been reported to be the months of July and October. According to Gus, there is beginning to be an increase in repeat guests. Gus also says that the main demographic of people coming to the property has been people in their 50s, while families also tend to come and stay as well.

History

The home of The Inn at Lincoln Square was originally built in 1824 by John Starr. It was purchased ten years after its construction by Joel Danner and his family, who retained ownership for approximately 100 years. As a result of the Danner family's ownership of the property, one of the names that it may be known as is the Danner home. After the Danner family sold the house, the home continued to fall under different ownerships and was used for various purposes. The meeting place for the YWCA was one of the functions in its history. It was in 2010 that the home started operating as an inn. After four years of operation as an inn, the current owners, Gus Zucco and Hillary Styer, purchased it. 

According to Gus, the home retains much of its "structural integrity" and still has features that existed in its early history. Additions and changes to the house have been made over the years throughout its existence. When the house was first built, the townhouses were not included. Gus says that each townhouse was added approximately 30 years after construction. Gus also adds that the home may have been shelled during the Battle of Gettysburg. Since Gus and Hillary first acquired the home, they have made several changes, one of them being the addition of victorian styled furniture. Additionally, they have discontinued some services of the inn, which were seen as unneeded. 

Gus previously worked in New York before moving to Gettysburg, Pennslyvania. The owner says that he chose to stay in Gettysburg because of the "charm of the small town." Gus says that after moving to Gettysburg and before owning the inn, he met and married his current wife, Hillary Styer. Hillary has been a civil war re-enactor since she was 15 years old, having accompanied her parents through their r-enactments as a child. Gus and Hillary decided to work in the hospitality industry after getting to know the previous owner of The Inn at Lincoln Square. They decided it was in their best interest to purchase the property. According to Gus, his and Hillary's favorite part about owning the Inn at Lincoln Square is the "charm" of their property and sharing the house's history with people. Gus says that one notable aspect of the house's history is that President Lincoln's Secretary of State, known as Seward, gave a talk on the property's front steps.