| Some 142 years after the Discovery landed near | | | | The Queen Anne revival home (c. 1892) has four |
| Jamestown VA, French officer, Celeron de Bienville | | | | rooms. This pair of beautiful brick buildings creates a |
| (aka de Blainville), led an expedition from Montreal, | | | | stately country estate atmosphere in downtown |
| across Lake Erie to the mouth of Chautauqua Creek. | | | | Westfield. |
| A scout for explorer, de Champlain, had discovered | | | | In nearby Mayville, NY is the Plumbush B&B. The |
| the creek in 1615. Celeron's goal in 1749 was to | | | | Cornell family built this home in 1865 at the end of |
| strengthen France's claim to the vast Ohio River | | | | the Civil War. Vintage accommodations include six |
| valley. | | | | themed rooms with private baths. A cousin founded |
| The French knew that a portage route between Erie | | | | nearby Cornell University. Plumbush is less than a mile |
| and Chautauqua lakes, a distance of less than five | | | | from Chautauqua Institute and is convenient to all the |
| miles, would connect with the Allegheny and Ohio | | | | usual amenities in the area. |
| Rivers. French soldiers widened the original Indian trail | | | | Beside Andraccio's on Route 394 is The Brasted |
| in 1753. It is still known as French Portage Road. The | | | | House B&B, an 1860's home built by the Hunt |
| Seven Years' War, known as the French and Indian | | | | family. This handicap-accessible, non-smoking inn |
| War in the colonies, ended France's influence in the | | | | specializes in literature and art weekends for guests. |
| Americas. It was almost 50 years after Celeron's | | | | Guest rooms are quiet and authentic, with antiques |
| expedition before Americans moved into the area. | | | | and quilts. Telephone and television are only in the |
| Pennsylvanians settled in present-day Westfield, NY in | | | | public rooms. Meals and coffees are primarily organic. |
| 1802. Landmark Acres, an 1802 two-story barn, is the | | | | In 1871, the Methodist Association held a camp |
| oldest building in Chautauqua County. It has been a | | | | meeting on Lake Chautauqua at a place called Fair |
| quality antique shop in Westfield since 1946. The barn | | | | Point. Three years later, the concept of Chautauqua |
| houses a variety of antiques, art, and collectibles. | | | | was born. Meetings were held at the point because |
| New York created the county of Chautauqua in 1808. | | | | attendees usually came by steamboat. As interest |
| The unique Bemis/Stowe ferry service began in 1811. | | | | and attendance grew, the event spread across the |
| It still operates for cars and passengers. Settlers | | | | shoreline and up a nearby hill. When rail service |
| planted the first grapes in 1818, not knowing the area | | | | became available, an entrance was built at the trolley |
| would become one of the premier grape-growing | | | | stop, now the main gate at Chautauqua. Resident |
| regions of the country. | | | | stayed first in tents, and then built cottages. In 1881 |
| In Mayville, the farmhouse, now known as Great | | | | the historic Athenaeum Hotel was in operation. |
| Tree Country Inn & Stables (c. 1820), was built. | | | | Additional accommodations at the Institute include |
| Guests enjoy luxury accommodations in a historic | | | | guesthouses, inns, boarding houses, cabins and |
| country estate setting. Seven themed guest rooms | | | | private rentals. Most date from the heyday of |
| have all-season fireplaces, king or queen beds and | | | | Chautauqua. Many are only open for the 'season' |
| modern amenities. Public areas include three living | | | | from late June to mid-August. |
| rooms with cozy fireplaces. Great Tree is open | | | | About the same time four hotels were built in Bemis |
| year-round and offers a dinner package | | | | Point, Chautauqua's 'other' resort. One of those, the |
| fall-through-spring. The fully equipped Stables are also | | | | Hotel Lenhart (c. 1882), is still in operation. The |
| original and provide boarding services for guests' | | | | Lenhart and the Athenaeum offer authentic |
| horses. The resident menagerie also lives at the | | | | accommodations in an 1890's atmosphere. |
| stables, delighting most guests. | | | | The Welch Corporation moved to the county in 1897. |
| The first steamboat on the lake was built in 1827 and | | | | The Jamestown, Chautauqua & Lake Erie |
| the first profitable grape harvest occurred three | | | | Railroad started converting trolley lines around the |
| years later. Then, just east of Westfield, Brick House | | | | lake to electric in 1903. The Spencer Hotel, a |
| Bed & Breakfast (c. 1840) was built on what is | | | | bed-and-breakfast style inn, was built at the Institute |
| now Route 20. The former Gothic Revival-style | | | | in 1908. Rooms feature literary themes and |
| residence offers guests a choice of five plush rooms | | | | hand-painted mural walls. The Spencer is celebrating |
| with modern amenities and private baths. Guests also | | | | its centennial this year with specially themed |
| enjoy a sumptuous breakfast buffet. | | | | packages. |
| About the same time (1837) the William Seward Inn | | | | For accommodations directly on the lake, check out |
| was built on Portage Road (Rt. 394) between | | | | the Maple Springs Lakeside Inn near Bemis Point. This |
| Mayville and Westfield. It was once the home of the | | | | 1925 Dutch Colonial has a private beach and seven |
| New York governor, and US Secretary of State | | | | guest rooms. It was built as a private home, known |
| during the Lincoln/Jackson administrations. William | | | | as Katankwat, by a Pittsburgh industrialist. He |
| Seward negotiated the purchase of Alaska, known | | | | invented the process of coloring ceramic tile - which |
| as 'Seward's Folly'. The 12-room inn offers guests an | | | | you can still see in the bathrooms. At one time, |
| authentic atmosphere, comfortable rooms and | | | | trolley service ran directly in front of the mansion. |
| gourmet meals. | | | | The Lakeside Inn, a former Methodist retreat, has |
| James Hinkley, a local attorney, built the Candlelight | | | | been a B&B since 1988. |
| Lodge in downtown Westfield. This 1851 Victorian | | | | You don't have to travel far to enjoy a wonderful |
| home is conveniently located on Route 20. The | | | | weekend or mini-vacation. There are dozens of |
| Candlelight became a public lodge in 1920, and is New | | | | accommodation choices in your area - everything |
| York's oldest single-owned Country Inn. The | | | | from camping to luxe hotels. But for a historic |
| Candlelight has seven luxury suites with queen-size | | | | experience, plush accommodations and unmatched |
| beds. The adjoining Captain Storm House was moved | | | | individual attention, make you next reservation at a |
| from its original location to the Candlelight property. | | | | Bed and Breakfast. |