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The Bridgeton House on the Delaware Country Inn is neatly tucked between River Road and the Delaware River in the shadow of the Milford Bridge in Upper Black Eddy. From the front, the brick building looks deceptively small, but once inside you realize it is much larger. It becomes even larger when you realize that the wood structure next door is also part of the Inn.
Bridgeton House comes highly recommended. They’ve been awarded a Certificate of Excellence by Tripadvisor.com for the last four years and are recipients of the AAA Three Diamond Award for at least 15 years. Philadelphia Magazine called the Bridgeton House, “Our favorite Bucks County Inn”, while New York Magazine said, “A nice place to visit, with incredible views of the river”.
Built as a home in 1836, it was being used as a bakery at the turn of the last century, according to Diane Marshall, who has been here for 15 years, the last eight as General Manager. It then was a real estate office and apartments. However, when present owners Bea and Charles Briggs purchased the property in 1980, it had fallen into disrepair. “They were a young couple living in Erwinna and bought this place when it came on the market,” Diane explained. “Charles had a vision of what it could be. He’s a carpenter and took care of the restoration and maintenance, while Bea, who had been studying nursing, learned marketing, promotion and so on—in short the business end.”
The Bridgeton House opened in 1981 with seven guest rooms. By 1989, they had 11 in the main building. They still have 11 of which 10 are presently located in the brick structure, some numbered, others named, along with a butler’s pantry, a sitting room and an airy dining room where breakfast and afternoon tea are served to guests only.
Three of the rooms are on the first floor, while the Boathouse Cottage, a three-room suite with a separate kitchen, occupies the entire ground floor of the building next door. Rustic in furnishings and feel, it’s the eleventh room. Diane pointed out every guest suite is quite different, although all have a private bath, AC, WiFi, a DVD player, a TV and a king or queen size featherbed. Nine of the 11 have porches with outside tables and chairs. They range in cost and extras from moderate to deluxe to premium plus the Penthouse and Boathouse.
The furnishings, which seem to depend upon the rooms, are as eclectic as the suites themselves. For instance, the ground floor, newly renovated Riverside Suite has a clean modern look and feel, as does the Delaware Suite on the second floor. Two of the rooms, #7 and the Village Suite, are not on the riverside. Yet, the latter, equipped with a gas fireplace, is charming due to the whimsically painted walls showing Charles’ creativity. The two rooms of the suite have faux marble and faux wood grain painting, plus a large figure and a fanciful headboard in front of the bed.
The second floor hallway also is wonderfully paint-decorated, the work of Bea’s cousin Cheryl Raywood. Other rooms throughout the Inn feature furniture, mostly tables and benches, crafted by Charles, showcasing his woodworking talents.
The Penthouse occupies almost the entire third floor of the main building. It’s spacious, bright and clean in appearance. Features include a wood-burning fireplace, a wrap-around porch and deck and the option of a private chef. The river views from this vantage point are breathtaking. Diane explained the Penthouse lends itself to small weddings and corporate events. “We can empty the room of furniture for a stand up event,” she said. “We host six to eight weddings a year. But, we have to limit them to around thirty guests.”
When asked which is her favorite, Diane responded, “That’s a tough one, but probably a toss up between the Boathouse and the Delaware Suite.” She said, “We have a lot of repeat customers. Some have been coming for years. But, they’re very distinct. They are either Penthouse or Boathouse—never both.”
Outside in the back, there’s a small outbuilding outfitted as a screened teahouse. It has windows too, making it functional year round. There also is a riverside terrace equipped with a free-form fireplace where, on a frosty afternoon, guests can toast homemade marshmallows over a warming fire.
Hurricane Sandy, which had little impact here but did substantial in the area, is the reason the Bridgeton House now has a whole house generator. “We fall into the bed and breakfast category because we serve breakfast, but we run like a small hotel or country inn,” commented Diane. “So we’ve had trouble defining ourselves.”
The establishment is run by a staff of nine. Along with Diane, there’s Clair O’Hara, the resident innkeeper and director of guest services, Deedee, another innkeeper, and two Chefs, Karen and Pat. “Both were trained in the culinary arts and each had her own restaurant. Karen has been with us for eight years, Pat for ten,” said Diane. There also are three housekeepers, plus a teenager who waits tables and helps with housekeeping part time. “And,” she said. “Bea and Charles do a lot. When the Bridgeton House first opened, they did everything, with the help of their two children, who now are grown and living in Philadelphia. They still are very involved in every aspect but rarely seen.” Also, Bea is a founder and past president of the Bed & Breakfast Association of Bucks County and a founder and current president of the River Road Business Alliance, which was successful in coordinating a substantial grant from the state of Pennsylvania.
Breakfasts at the Bridgeton House are a special occasion. “We cover quite a range. They’re multi-course, made to order,” commented Diane. There’s a menu plus four specials each day. Bread, cinnamon rolls and other baked goods are homemade. Various juices are offered, while their coffee is, a blend roasted for us here in Upper Black Eddy. Tea and hot chocolate also are available. There’s a fruit course, fresh in season or something like baked apple or pear during cooler months. The entrée course can be the omelet of the day, eggs any style, the griddle special such as caramel apple French toast with an apple and pecan topping or perhaps a breakfast pizza. Among the choices for sides are sausage and peppered bacon that they do there or roasted Rosemary potatoes, along with others.
Afternoon tea is a special event too. Diane said, “It features a ‘tower of homemade sweets, usually three or four different ones. We also offer savory snacks with cheese spreads.” Always available to guests are homemade biscotti and cookies, bags of chips, sodas and bottled water.
While enjoying their meal, guests can peruse the many paintings on exhibit in the dining room, compliments of Rivers Edge Gallery. According to Diane, “We showcase the works of local artists, rotating them in and out. We even have a few paintings in some of the guest rooms. Whenever we have a new show, we host an opening reception for the artist.”
Explaining what sets the Briggeton House apart from other B&Bs, Diane said, “Our guests originally come for the river—we’re the only B&B in Upper Bucks on the river itself. But, they come back for the service. We’re like family. Both Clair and Deedee will make sure your stay is spectacular. They know how to do it right. We offer spa packages, among others. Our guests are on cloud nine when they leave.” She added, “Autumn is the favorite season for our guests. And, it certainly is beautiful here during those months. However, my favorite is winter. The river is stunning in the winter, framed by icicles.”
The future at the Bridgeton House looks rosy. About a year ago, they started offering picnic baskets, thinking that would be a summer hit. “But we sell more in the winter. People like to picnic in front of the fireplace in their room.” In addition, plans are underway to finish the third floor of the Boathouse building into a second Penthouse Suite. And weekends basically are sold out throughout the year. Diane commented, “Midweek during winter can be pretty quiet. In the winter, the fireplace rooms are very special.” If a midweek, midwinter mini-vacation sounds appealing, call the Bridgeton House at 610-982-5856 or 888-982-2007 or visit their website at www.bridgetonhouse.com.
Patti Guthrie is a freelance writer and antiques dealer from Chalfont, PA.