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The 1740 House has been operating in the Upper Bucks river town of Lumberville for the last four and a half decades. When you turn off River Road into their parking lot, you’re struck by the size of this establishment. The original stone section, which can be documented back to 1790, is flanked by two fairly large wood additions, the south and north buildings. This charming country inn has 24 guest rooms and suites on two floors, plus the innkeeper’s residence, the dining room, a kitchen, and a small pub.
In 1964 Harry Nessler, a colorful character from all accounts, bought what had been an old farm that included the remnants of a stone barn that was probably built around 1740. He had the additions constructed and opened the 1740 House in 1968, much to the consternation of many Lumberville residents who had envisioned a motel. Yet this bed and breakfast was anything but, and quickly became a success as a quiet bucolic haven for harried Manhattanites, thanks to prudent advertising in The Village Voice and the New Yorker.
The 1740 House has a storied history, mainly due to its flamboyant owner who also doubled as the chef for the restaurant, which served dinners as well as breakfasts. Harry had a passion for old Jaguars, which he collected, and he was rarely seen without his little white dog. He ran the establishment until his passing in the late 1980s. His family then kept it going until the early to mid 1990s.
Fast forward to November in 2010 when five long-time Bucks County residents, including Joe Luccaro and Bobby Blanche who owns Rice’s Market, bought the 1740 House. The group immediately named Joe the managing partner, a wise move considering he had been in the hospitality business for over 30 years—the last 20 as the owner and operator of Holly Hedge located outside of New Hope. Joe explained, “There have been four owners since Harry’s family had it. And some of them did upkeep and extensive work to the property to minimize the flooding threat. However none of them were in the hospitality industry.”
Like Joe, Richard Lobach, Jr., the innkeeper, had spent his entire career in the hospitality field. He said, “In 1977 right out of high school I started as a bellhop at the Holiday Inn at Routes 309 and 22 in Allentown. It now is a Roadway Inn.” He added, “I helped one chain grow from three to 11 hotels over a five-year period. I’ve worked all over the Eastern Seaboard.” The 1740 House with its 24 rooms is the smallest. “The largest was a 302-room hotel at which I was the director of operations for a hospitality company,” he commented, “But this is by far the best job I’ve ever had and certainly the most fun.”
Richard and his wife Tammy live on the premises. He said, “It’s great to have a wife who understands the business. She works here with me. If a guest calls at 2 a,m., I have to go solve his problem. Tammy understands that.” He added, “Our residence is attached to the inn but is separate.” Their older daughter Anna is on her own, while Erin, their younger one is a student at Northeastern University in Boston.
The Assistant innkeeper is Kim Kilmer. She’s been affiliated with the 1740 House for the past several years, but became a full time employee when Luccaro and his partners bought it. Known by some guests as “the Dachshund lady”, in her spare time, she runs the Schultz Senior Dachshund Rescue in New Jersey, winner of the prestigious New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association Animal Welfare Award for 2012. She’s active in Dachshund associations in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
When Richard and Kim were asked what sets the 1740 House apart from all of the other Bucks County B&Bs, both replied almost in unison and without hesitation, “Our location along the river.” Richard said, “Every room has a gorgeous view of the Delaware.” Kim added, “Even after all of these years, I still enjoy the scenery.” And, now there are two nesting pairs of bald eagles living along the Delaware. Richard commented, “One of the best parts of the morning is watching them fly down the river. The sun’s coming up, and there’s a majestic bald eagle flying along the river fishing.”
Because of the interesting way the building is oriented, every guest room features a large picture window overlooking the river and the canal. In addition first floor rooms have an outside terrace, second floor rooms a balcony—each with a table and chairs.
The rooms are furnished tastefully and comfortably but sparingly with reproduction country antiques. There’s no clutter whatsoever. Each has a private bath, an air conditioner, wi-fi, a television, and a scenic view. Some have queen beds, others kings. Two are furnished with twin beds. There are nine deluxe rooms. Six of these have a fireplace equipped with a one-click, gas-fueled fire. And every fireplace has an old Mercer tile surround, each with “1740” in the center. Also there are two suites, the Junior and the Grand. The latter has a large bedroom that can be closed off and a second, equally large room to be used for meetings, small conferences or whatever. There are standard rooms on each side of the Grand Suite.
The guest rooms in the north building tend to be a little cozier, a bit more charming. Richard said, “We’re a country inn, just like a big hotel only smaller. Every room has a different feature. So when I take reservations, I try to find out what guests want. What are their expectations? Then, we work to exceed them.” He continued, “Several of our guests have called the rooms ‘quirky country’”, adding, “That’s a compliment in my book.”
The quirkiest room has to be the one located in the original stone structure with its thick walls and small old window. Richard said, “We have a lot of repeat guests coming four or five times a year from Long Island, Maryland, the Shore Points, Manhattan and so on.” With a smile he said, “Now we also are seeing second and third generations coming. Lots of our repeat customers remember Harry. And every one of them has a favorite Harry story.”
Breakfasts at the 1740 House are served buffet style. They consist of juices, cereal, seasonal fresh fruits, home made sweet breads, and hot dishes made from scratch such as stradas, quiches, scrambled eggs, breakfast meats and home made hashes like various potato hashes. In addition, they offer hot coffees and teas. “Plus there always is something sweet,” said Richard. The dining room overlooks the river. And weather permitting, guests can eat outside on the terrace. Actually the outdoor brick terrace runs the entire length of the building.
Years ago, this B&B had a swimming pool, but the pool was filled in and turned into a courtyard. And in 2011 an outdoor patio was enclosed and turned into a small pub. Richard explained, “The pub is open for inn guests and members of the 1740 House Club, a private club for local neighbors and friends.” The establishment likes to be a good neighbor.
For example, during the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy last fall the town was without power for seven days, the roads blocked by fallen trees and downed power lines. Before the storm hit, Richard had the inn phone switched to his cell phone. “So I was able to conduct business,” he said, “We have a generator and therefore had limited power. Because of that we were able to offer Lumberville residents hot showers.” He added, “It was very satisfying being able to do this but also somewhat weird and eerie to see car headlights coming into our parking lot early in the mornings—it was so dark with no power.”
Because Joe Luccaro also owns Holly Hedge, which he and his wife Amy have painstakingly transformed into one of the area’s premier wedding venues, garnering the prestigious Bride’s Choice Award for 2013 by Wedding Wire, as well as for other events, the staff at the 1740 House varies from seven up to ten. “There are a couple of employees who are floaters between the two establishments,” Kim explained. Also, the 1740 House is used to accommodate any overflow guests from Holly Hedge events with a shuttle running between the two properties.
In addition, probably due to Luccaro’s successful wedding business, the 1740 House hosted its first wedding last October. Said Kim, “We can handle thirty guests at a sit-down dinner, sixty for a stand-up cocktail and hors d’oeuvres party,” as she showed off a photo album from that first event. It was such a success they had a second wedding on the premises this past December.
Joe’s idea to link the two establishments seems to be benefitting both. It certainly has breathed new life into the 1740 House, taking this B&B in some new directions, assuring its continued success for the next several decades.
If you need a weekend or mid-week getaway, plan a visit to this lovely country inn. Who knows—you may be treated to the unusual opportunity of watching an adult bald eagle teaching its young how to fish.
To learn more about the 1740 House or book a stay (their rates are competitive), visit their Website at www.1740house.com or call them at 215-297-5661. v
Patti Guthrie is a freelance writer and antiques dealer from Chalfont, PA.