New York State
Hospitality And Tourism Association's: "STAR OF THE
INDUSTRY-2006"
The
Griffin House Bed
&
Breakfast of Jeffersonville, New York, is a featured and
award
winning, Victorian mansion in The Catskill Mountains/Upper Delaware
River
Valley. Fine Antiques, Romantic Getaways, Weddings, Business Retreats
And
Recreation, In The Heart Of Sullivan County. Just Fifteen Minutes From
The New: Bethelwoods
Performing Arts Center!
Featured
In: Romantic
Weekends In And Around New York-by Irvina Lew/Bed &
Breakfast
in the Mid-Atlantic States-by Bernice Chesler/America's
Wonderful
Little Hotels And Inns-by Sandra Soule/The Non-Smoker's
Guide
ToBed
& Breakfasts-by Julia M. Pitkin/American and
Canadian
Bed&
Breakfasts-
by Tracy Menges: Hotel
Online-by Francine SilvermanTom and Diane's Favorite Country Inns.
Approaching The Griffin House Bed and
Breakfast, the appearance is of
an
impressive country home set alongside a meandering stream, with large
pine
and shade trees adorning its entrance. An 1890's Carriage House, and
the
original 1840's Settlement home compliment the two acre estate. As
inviting
as it is, the understated exterior of this modest mansion cannot
prepare
the visitor for the exquisitely crafted interior that awaits them.
Finely
carved American Chestnut, from a breed of tree that no longer exists on
this continent, fills every niche in the home, from the ornate main
staircase,
to the elegant beaded wood archways and even the intricately honed
quarter
round at the baseboard. Floors of herring bone oak, fireplaces of
molded
brick, windows of stained glass and original gas light fixtures make
the
house a virtual museum for guests.
Featured
& Award Winning
Architectural
Excellence
Victorian
Elegance
An architect who once
stayed the
weekend
wrote to thank hosts Irene and Paul Griffin for their fine hospitality,
but thanked them even more "for preserving the integrity of an American
treasure."
Other
guests have echoed the sentiments of the architect.
"Superlative,"
states one entry in the Griffin House guest book; "Out of this world,
into
a better one," writes another. Commissioned by Jeffersonville
businessman
and politician Valentine Scheidell, work began on the house in 1895
under
the direction of The Kohler Lumber Company. Upon completion in 1900,
Scheidell,
a founder of the First National Bank of Jeffersonville and at one time
the chairman of the Sullivan County Board of Supervisors, moved his
family
from a small house near the creek into the masterpiece. There the
family remained until 1988 when the last of the Scheidell's four
daughters
moved to a nursing home.
Then
Now
Rooms Tell a Tale at The
Griffin
House
While one of the four guest rooms
at The Griffin House is
devoted to
the historic Scheidell family that built and lived in the house for
three
generations, the others tell a tale of the illustrious music careers
that
touched the lives and indeed were lived by Paul and Irene Griffin
before
their bed and breakfast venture. In the eastern corner of the second
floor
is the Griffin Room, named for Paul's father, Gordon
"Chris" Griffin, also known as "Steel Lips,"
the man who
played high trumpet for the theme of The Jackie Gleason Show. The elder
Griffin also played with Benny Goodman for years, including the famed
1938
Carnegie Hall concert, or as Paul comments, "the first time that jazz
was
heard in those hallowed halls." He can also be heard on
recordings
with Frank Sinatra and numerous television and radio shows such as:
Milton
Berle, Patti Page, Kate Smith, Gary Moore,Carol Burnett, Ed Sullivan,
and
many more.
News clippings on the
walls, musical artifacts, and a plaque
from the music hall of fame, attest to the great talent of Mr. Griffin.
(Also mentioned in the biography's of Frank Sinatra, Mel Torme, and
Harry
James) To the south of the guest floor is the Waring Room, named for
the
famed Fred Waring and his Pennsylvanians. Waring, along with making his
mark on the music world with his touring concert orchestra, also made
his mark
in matchmaking when he paired his trumpeter/orchestrator, Paul Griffin,
with a
wonderful
singer he'd discovered in England, Irene
Stephens. And last is a room,
the Lancastrian, devoted to the British heritage of Irene, who started
singing as a girl of 15 in the cotton mills of industrialized
Lancashire.
Irene explains, "I sang in weaving rooms where none could hear." As it
turns out, when the noise died down, there remained a voice that
carried
Irene out of local stints in the working man's clubs and onto the
international
stage.
Postage
Stamp From Early
1900's
Maple
Avenue Circa 1900
The
Griffins
Paul,
a native of Manhasset, Long Island, and Irene, born and bred in
Lancashire,
England - purchased this spectacular home in 1990, after their early
retirement
as world class musicians. From Fred Waring and The Pennsylvanians, to
Ella
Fitzgerald and Natalie Cole; from Broadway, to The London Palladium;
from
CBS Television to Thames Television, Irene and Paul have been there,
and
the experience they gathered is self-evident as they greet and
transform
first time visitors into welcomed friends. (Paul's
lead
trumpet
playing can be heard on a recording with Ella Fitzgerald of "Can't Buy
Me
Love" as featured on The Ed Sullivan Show.)
Irene and Paul have recorded several cd's which demonstrate their
multi-faceted
musical careers. From Classical to Jazz, Fusion to Rock, you can listen
to some examples of their work by following the links: "Favorite
Things" features Irene's superb voice and Paul's musical
orchestrations and vocal harmonies. "Trumpets
& Crumpets" is an album which features Paul's' original
compositions
and orchestrations, along with several tracks of his virtuoso trumpet
performances. Encouraged
by many to do so, Irene & Paul recently recorded "Christmas
At The Griffin House," an album featuring a
selection
of some of their favorite carols.
"We'll
say the house found us," says Irene, of the somewhat fated connection
of
the Griffins to the old mansion. A year before their purchase they had
taken a random drive past the house and stopped for nearly ten minutes
to admire it. It hadn't even been for sale. Then, upon deciding
to
put their entertainment skills to use on house guests, they began to
seek
out small country inns as far away as Georgia, Virginia and the
Carolinas.
But, upon returning from a real estate hunting trip down south, they
were
caught up in the beauty of home. "The Catskills just won our
hearts
back," says Paul. They began hunting down guest houses in Western
Sullivan
County. After a long day in the Upper Delaware River Valley/Lower
Catskills, they were directed toward a home in Jeffersonville as a last
stop. "If he turns into that driveway, that's it," Paul had said
to himself. The mansion house was now for sale, and unbeknownst to the
real estate agent, it had been sold on the spot. After a few months,
Paul,
Irene and The Griffin House entered the hospitality business together,
when they opened the three-story mansion to guests as a bed and
breakfast
home. Although the owners for just seventeen short years, the Griffins
are
more like the adopted parents of a child prodigy, speaking of the house
with a pride and enthusiasm that is contagious. "It took ten master
carpenters
five years to build it," Paul said of the superb craftsmanship that
saturates
the house. "Anything that could be done in the name of good taste, they
did it here," he said. It has been a dream come true for this talented
couple
who found an aristocratic home in the country and decided to make it
into
one of the nicest Bed 'n Breakfasts in the Catskill Mountains.
Directions Map Address: 27
Maple Avenue, Jeffersonville, NY 12748
Telephone
(845)
482-3371
From New York and
Metropolitan Area: (2 Hours) George
Washington
Bridge to New Jersey Palisades Parkway to New York Thruway North.
Proceed
on Thruway to Exit 16 and then West on Route 17 to Exit 104. Route 17B
West 15 miles to Fosterdale. At traffic light turn right onto route 52.
Bear right at fork (stay on rte 52) You will come to a T-junction at
the
historic Stone Arch Bridge Park. Turn right, (still on route 52) and
you
will enter the village of Jeffersonville. Proceed through the village,
and watch for The Bank Of Jeffersonville, on your left. Turn left onto
Maple Avenue. We are approximately 500 yards up, and on your left.
You'll
recognize us from our picture.
From Binghamton, Rochester
and Upstate Area: Interstate
Highway
490 South to the New York Thruway (90) East. In Syracuse leave Route 90
for Interstate 81 South to Binghamton. Pick up Route 17 East to Exit
<>
(Roscoe). Turn right at end of ramp, and then left at T-junction.
Follow
"Gulf Road" to Callicoon Center and turn left following signs to
Jeffersonville.
Turn right onto rte 52, and right at Maple Avenue. We are approximately
500 yards up, and on your left. You'll recognize us from our picture.
From Connecticut, Boston
& New England: Mass.
Turnpike,
Sturbridge
Exit. Then Route 84 West to Route 17, West to Exit 104. Route 17B West
15 miles to Fosterdale. At traffic light turn right onto route
52.
Bear right at fork (stay on rte 52) You will come to a T-junction at
the
historic Stone Arch Bridge Park. Turn right, (still on route 52) and
you
will enter the village of Jeffersonville. Proceed through the village,
and watch for The Bank Of Jeffersonville, on your left. Turn left onto
Maple Avenue. We are approximately 500 yards up, and on your left.
You'll
recognize us from our picture.
Testimonials "Great
House" Frankie Laine,
San Diego, CA "As a person who
has
traveled around the world extensively, I always have high standards on
where I stay. My standards were not only met, but exceeded. From the
moment
we arrived I felt totally relaxed from the warm atmosphere provided.
"Edward
Degnan, Capt. USA "Thank you so much for your gracious hospitality
and
food. I will be back to enjoy this lovely Victorian setting for years
to
come. Look past the beautiful woodwork and decor, and see two beautiful
hosts." Vernon Maurice Pugh, New Rochelle, NY "We are fortunate
to
have found this beautiful Bed & Breakfast, our first. "Lt.Col.
and
Mrs. Roy E. Harrell, Pigeon Forge, NJ "You have created a magical
space,
thank you." Jeffrey King, (CIS) NYC "Wonderful host &
hostess.
The house is unforgettable." Frank & Bev Easton, Queens, NY "Beautiful
home, beautiful cats, beautiful people. Slept great!" Kathy Lasky,
Denver CO. "Time slows down here; thank you!" Peter Selin,
Paris,
France
Details
Accommodations: Nine
bedrooms, but in order to remain
exclusive, we
offer just: Four guest's rooms, with private bathrooms Meals:
A full breakfast is served.
Payment:
Room may be reserved with a Visa or Mastercard. Reservations:
There is a two day minimum stay
on
seasonal and holiday weekends. Restrictions: Sorry, no
pets. Rates:
Call.
Rates are for up to two and include a full breakfast served in our
dining
room. A charge of $50 is made for an extra person. An advance deposit
of
one night's lodging is required to confirm reservations. Cancellation
Policy:
We are a small inn and late cancellations may keep us from
accommodating other guests. We will refund (minus a processing fee) if
we are able to rebook the
room that was held for you.
"My
name is Bubbles, (I'm the photogenic one, begging to have my tummy
tickled) and that's my sister, Willow. (Feigning indifference.) We own
two humans named Irene and Paul, whom we've trained to feed and brush
us
daily. We're not allowed on the second floor, (where the guest's rooms
are) even though I occasionally pretend that I've forgotten the rules.
(Hey, we're cats! We push the envelope.) We have our own quarters on
the
third floor where there is much to keep us occupied. We hope you like
us,
(we're soooo likable) and that you aren't allergic to our nice, warm
fur.
Ironically, (my human slaves taught me that word) my sister happens to
have a slight allergy to humans, so if you hear her coughing or
sneezing,
take no notice. She's also allergic to young children, so don't take
offense."
(Sisters are such a nuisance.)
While one of the four guest rooms
at The Griffin House is
devoted to
the historic Scheidell family that built and lived in the house for
three
generations, the others tell a tale of the illustrious music careers
that
touched the lives and indeed were lived by Paul and Irene Griffin
before
their bed and breakfast venture. In the eastern corner of the second
floor
is the Griffin Room, named for 
mark
in matchmaking when he paired his trumpeter/orchestrator, Paul Griffin,
with a
wonderful
singer he'd discovered in England, 
Paul,
a native of Manhasset, Long Island, and Irene, born and bred in
Lancashire,
England - purchased this spectacular home in 1990, after their early
retirement
as world class musicians. From Fred Waring and The Pennsylvanians, to
Ella
Fitzgerald and Natalie Cole; from Broadway, to The London Palladium;
from
CBS Television to Thames Television, Irene and Paul have been there,
and
the experience they gathered is self-evident as they greet and
transform
first time visitors into welcomed friends. (Paul's
lead
trumpet
playing can be heard on a recording with Ella Fitzgerald of "Can't Buy
Me
Love" as featured on The Ed Sullivan Show.)
Discography
"We'll
say the house found us," says Irene, of the somewhat fated connection
of
the Griffins to the old mansion. A year before their purchase they had
taken a random drive past the house and stopped for nearly ten minutes
to admire it. It hadn't even been for sale. Then, upon deciding
to
put their entertainment skills to use on house guests, they began to
seek
out small country inns as far away as Georgia, Virginia and the
Carolinas.
But, upon returning from a real estate hunting trip down south, they
were
caught up in the beauty of home. "The Catskills just won our
hearts
back," says Paul. They began hunting down guest houses in Western
Sullivan
County. After a long day in the Upper Delaware River Valley/Lower
Catskills, they were directed toward a home in Jeffersonville as a last
stop. "If he turns into that driveway, that's it," Paul had said
to himself. The mansion house was now for sale, and unbeknownst to the
real estate agent, it had been sold on the spot. After a few months,
Paul,
Irene and The Griffin House entered the hospitality business together,
when they opened the three-story mansion to guests as a bed and
breakfast
home. Although the owners for just seventeen short years, the Griffins
are
more like the adopted parents of a child prodigy, speaking of the house
with a pride and enthusiasm that is contagious. "It took ten master
carpenters
five years to build it," Paul said of the superb craftsmanship that
saturates
the house. "Anything that could be done in the name of good taste, they
did it here," he said. It has been a dream come true for this talented
couple
who found an aristocratic home in the country and decided to make it
into
one of the nicest Bed 'n Breakfasts in the Catskill Mountains.
"My
name is Bubbles, (I'm the photogenic one, begging to have my tummy
tickled) and that's my sister, Willow. (Feigning indifference.) We own
two humans named Irene and Paul, whom we've trained to feed and brush
us
daily. We're not allowed on the second floor, (where the guest's rooms
are) even though I occasionally pretend that I've forgotten the rules.
(Hey, we're cats! We push the envelope.) We have our own quarters on
the
third floor where there is much to keep us occupied. We hope you like
us,
(we're soooo likable) and that you aren't allergic to our nice, warm
fur.
Ironically, (my human slaves taught me that word) my sister happens to
have a slight allergy to humans, so if you hear her coughing or
sneezing,
take no notice. She's also allergic to young children, so don't take
offense."
(Sisters are such a nuisance.)
