2001–2021 – The Chesley Road Bed & Breakfast

For two decades — 2001 to 2021 — the house lived a life its Victorian builders would never have predicted: it became the Chesley Road Bed & Breakfast, and strangers from all over the world slept in its bedrooms, ate breakfast in its dining room, and drank wine on its porch.

The couple who owned the house opened their home with three guest rooms — the Cozy Queen and Queen Balcony in the guest wing, and later a King Ensuite — each with a private bath. The B&B’s own site described the setting: “a beautiful Italianate-style Victorian built in 1849, that has been lovingly restored and updated. Enjoy some quiet time on the large covered porch and in the beautiful gardens.” Guests were “welcomed into our home by our cat, Tizzy, Layla the Australian Shepherd and our new rescue Aussie: Ashleigh.” There was a hearty continental breakfast each morning, on-site massage therapy by appointment, and a consciously “green” operation — and no children under 12, and no guest pets, “as ours would be jealous!”

The house in spring, from the B&B’s website — the gardens were one owner’s particular art, as the rebuilt porch and interiors were the other’s.

The guests noticed what the house had become. Across 39 verified reviews the B&B held a 9.6 “Exceptional” rating, and the reviews read like testimony about the building itself:

“This has to be one of the most special places I have ever stayed in. The house is absolutely gorgeous inside and out.” — a 2019 guest

“We enjoyed sitting on the wrap around porch every afternoon with a glass of wine … entertained by the resident cat and dog.” — a 2019 guest

“A wonderful Victorian that has been lovingly restored. It feels clean, airy and bright while still managing to be very cozy.” — a returning guest

That restoration was no figure of speech. The B&B years account for the densest stretch of the house’s permit history: the rebuilt porch and two-story stair-hall addition (2010), the finished third floor (2014–15), the remodeled kitchen (2016–17), air conditioning, a fire-alarm system, rooftop solar (2018). The innkeepers ran the house to a professional standard and left it better than any owner in a century.

The porch — first built as a “piazza” under Asa Jewett in 1914, rebuilt in 2010 — above the perennial beds.

The chapter closed the way it had been run — graciously. In the spring of 2021 the B&B’s website carried a farewell:

“We are retiring. We will be taking no more reservations after June 7, 2021. We thank you for gracing our home with your presences, making breakfasts a delight of lively conversation and for sharing your joyful and sometimes sad times with us!”

Sources: the Chesley Road Bed & Breakfast website (archived); Hotels.com verified guest reviews, 2016–2021.