Original family visits

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Figurehead

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We just experienced two wonderful sisters, the granddaughters of the original owners and builders of our home. Their dad was born and grew up here and their family was very involved in the growth and industry of this little village. They brought us old pictures and told of stories they remember as little girls. What a pleasure the last two days have been.
I marvel how people, places, and things come together at the right time to inspire and encourage us in this endeavor. It was a blessing having them stay with us and a little emotional for them to be back in this house after sixty years of absence.
 
How wonderful! We had much the same experience ourselves and continue to have family members of the original owners stop by now and then. Have them write down some memories for posterity!
 
I opened in July 1996. I got a call in September 1996 asking what the rates were. The man explained he was the son of the Gillums and he, his wife, and son and daughter-in-law were coming in October. I told him Gillums do not pay to come home. He booked 2 rooms. While they were here, we were told he was born in Rosi's Room. It was a marvelous visit. They sent us a gift certificate. The son & his wife have been back several times since - the last time they were here, he brought a box of his uncle's memorabilia who retired from the Air Force as a Lt Col. I gave the box to the town museum. The son spent summerss here with his Grandparents - so he stays free. His daughter came through - she paid as she never was here when the Gillums had the house so she was not coming Home.
 
When I first started years ago, I would even cook the descendants dinner but still charged regular rates. It was all very time consuming but was fun hearing the stories. As the years ticked by, on one occasion they thought they had booked one relative into a room but had not and I had the room rented to someone else. Sadness all around. The remaining relatives canceled last minute because it was a reunion of sorts and of course during leaf change.. leaving me to scramble to fill the rooms at the last minute. I am sure I lost on that deal. Not so nice.. So now, a few years later, I dont cook dinners for them anymore and at the end of the day am very cordial to them but ask them to please book on my website where they can agree to the policies. I do have to keep paint on their beloved family home after all!
 
Eugee2 said:
When I first started years ago, I would even cook the descendants dinner but still charged regular rates. It was all very time consuming but was fun hearing the stories. As the years ticked by, on one occasion they thought they had booked one relative into a room but had not and I had the room rented to someone else. Sadness all around. The remaining relatives canceled last minute because it was a reunion of sorts and of course during leaf change.. leaving me to scramble to fill the rooms at the last minute. I am sure I lost on that deal. Not so nice.. So now, a few years later, I dont cook dinners for them anymore and at the end of the day am very cordial to them but ask them to please book on my website where they can agree to the policies. I do have to keep paint on their beloved family home after all!.
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I am fortunate in that there are only 2 brothers this would apply to. One has never come and the other only every few years. All other family members (and aunts & cousins have booked and paid full rate) are just guests.
 
How lovely.
Although this house is modern (2001) there's a long history of previous cottage and the pottery and it's great to meet people who's families are involved in that history. Just last week a couple knocked on the door, he's great grandfather helped build pottery cottage in the early 1900s, which was the predecessor to this house.
 
Silverspoon said:
How wonderful! We had much the same experience ourselves and continue to have family members of the original owners stop by now and then. Have them write down some memories for posterity!.
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They may be back next year and I like the idea of written memories. Maybe I should start a separate book for just that. Thank you for the idea!
 
Highlands John said:
How lovely.
Although this house is modern (2001) there's a long history of previous cottage and the pottery and it's great to meet people who's families are involved in that history. Just last week a couple knocked on the door, he's great grandfather helped build pottery cottage in the early 1900s, which was the predecessor to this house..
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It feels like a link or connection has been added to the chain of history and that a real person actually walked here, talked here, worked here, etc. And it is lovely.
 
Eugee2 said:
When I first started years ago, I would even cook the descendants dinner but still charged regular rates. It was all very time consuming but was fun hearing the stories. As the years ticked by, on one occasion they thought they had booked one relative into a room but had not and I had the room rented to someone else. Sadness all around. The remaining relatives canceled last minute because it was a reunion of sorts and of course during leaf change.. leaving me to scramble to fill the rooms at the last minute. I am sure I lost on that deal. Not so nice.. So now, a few years later, I dont cook dinners for them anymore and at the end of the day am very cordial to them but ask them to please book on my website where they can agree to the policies. I do have to keep paint on their beloved family home after all!.
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I did not cook their dinner but I do have "treats" (cookies, pie, ice cream, etc.) for evening discussions. I'm sorry about the "reunion" loss but hopefully you were able to recover. And Mr. Figurehead keeps me in check as to handouts. We'd never make any money if I didn't listen to him!
 
gillumhouse said:
I opened in July 1996. I got a call in September 1996 asking what the rates were. The man explained he was the son of the Gillums and he, his wife, and son and daughter-in-law were coming in October. I told him Gillums do not pay to come home. He booked 2 rooms. While they were here, we were told he was born in Rosi's Room. It was a marvelous visit. They sent us a gift certificate. The son & his wife have been back several times since - the last time they were here, he brought a box of his uncle's memorabilia who retired from the Air Force as a Lt Col. I gave the box to the town museum. The son spent summerss here with his Grandparents - so he stays free. His daughter came through - she paid as she never was here when the Gillums had the house so she was not coming Home..
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You are very gracious. It didn't occur to me to not charge them. The past is so impressive and interesting to us and we definitely appreciate the pictures and stories of the people who were real and lived here. I'm glad other innkeepers have had relatives visit and I thank you for sharing your stories with us.
 

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