The Geneva Historical Society Tour of Homes

The William Smith Inn - House # 6
600 Castle Street

The Inn will open at 11:00am, so the whole B & B can be viewed by all.

The Inn opened in July 2009 with high tribute to its former lives, first as a home built by businessman and philanthropist William Smith, and later an incarnation as the Episcopal Church Home, as you will see by visiting the bed and breakfast operated by innkeepers David and Theresa Gage.

Designed for Smith by renowned architect Andrew Jackson Warner, the 29 room Italianate mansion, completed in 1873, features quarter-cut white oak floors with black walnut inlays, monstrous chestnut doors, floor-to-ceiling windows, and majestic crown molding.
The Gages have filled the beautifully appointed rooms with historic pictures and memorabilia important to William Smith, who founded the college for women which bears his name. The names of the guest rooms are importantly linked to Hobart and William Smith Colleges and local history: The Miller Room (women’s rights movement), The William Smith Suite, The Elizabeth Blackwell and The Statesmen. The other room is named after the first director of the Experiment Station - The (E. Lewis) Sturtevant.

Be sure to enjoy the artwork on the wall of the dining room. Interpreted by local artist Kirsten Burrall, it is the Coronation Tapestry design, important in the pageantry of the Episcopal Church. The tapestry is found on the altar of St. Peter’s Church in Geneva and in a clerical shawl worn by Father James Adams. Also of note is the iron Church Home signage which was formerly displayed on the front lawn. Its size looks much larger on the upstairs landing wall.
If time permits, sit on the lovely front porch or enjoy a leisurely stroll around the discerningly planted 3.2 acre former home of Smith’s Nurseries.

For more information, please check: www.thewilliamsmithinn.com