The History of 277 Rose Hill Avenue, the amsden haupt house, Circa 1838
- Now A Storybook Inn, from january 2004 to the current:
277 Rose Hill Avenue, Versailles, Kentucky, now known as A Storybook Inn, was historically known as Sunny Hollow, or the Amsden-Haupt House. The structure itself dates from the early 1840s. The property, then and now, consisted of a main home, a small cottage (which had to be replaced by a lovely 3 bedroom, 3.5 bath guesthouse), a Carriage House, a garden shed and a delightful child’s playhouse, designed to match the main house.
It was home to several generations of the Amsdens descended from John Amsden, Sr., who came to Woodford County in Kentucky, from Massachusetts in 1839, 47 years after Kentucky officially became a state. Amsden was a successful Versailles merchant. He founded Amsden Bank in 1867 and was one of the founders of St. John's Episcopal Church on Main Street in Versailles.
The estate remained in the family for many years as Amsden's granddaughter, Jean Haggin Amsden, married William Medlar Haupt in 1909, and they took over the house. Their daughter, Margaret, married William Hunter Fishback in 1933 but lived in Lexington at first before moving to Savannah, GA.
The two-story brick house was originally a gingerbread Victorian and had arched windows on the second floor at the front. There were six paired chimney stacks whereas today there are five. Five steps led up to the large front porch which stretched across the front of the house to a floor-to-ceiling window on each side. Around 1890, the house was expanded dramatically to a large Victorian Classic, complete with a turret on the southeast corner. The two front windows on the first floor were doubled in width and elaborate colored glass sections were placed at the top of the windows. The front porch was partially enclosed with latticework. A balcony with a low railing was added to the second floor on top of the porch with a pair of windows looking out over it. The height of the house was raised and a small curved window was added to the front gable.
The house was remodeled and expanded again in the late 1920s. All the dark Victorian elements were removed and the trim inside and out was painted white. This is the house one sees today – classic triple-columned Colonial, bright and airy.
The original playhouse, with its brick floors and two rooms in the garden off the old screened porch, was also renovated to match the new colonial facade with the leaded glass surround fan door instead of the original Victorian style. This playhouse was used by Margaret Amsden's daughter when she was a child.
On July 20, 2018, 100-mile-an-hour “straight-line winds” came through and the county was declared a federal disaster area. Our property was a disaster as well, with large trees down everywhere. Thankfully the main house and the guesthouse escaped major damage. The playhouse did not. A large Oak tree fell on the original playhouse, destroying it. Our contractor was able to save the original paneled door and leaded glass fan window and leaded side windows of the front of the playhouse and install them on the current ‘new’ playhouse/kitty house that was rebuilt the same year as the storm. (2018) The current “playhouse/kitty house” for our Inn kitties, is quite nice. It is fully insulated and the walls are shiplap. It has a cathedral ceiling and a built-in counter that was in the original butler’s pantry.
The original child-size front door and leaded glass windows were placed on the newly built house. A full-size door and 2 small windows with window boxes are on the back. The little house has electric fans in the summer and heated beds and a heat lamp for the winter season for our spoiled Inn kitties, Summer and Boots.
Out of respect for our guests who have allergies to felines, our kitties are not permitted inside, but since they have their beautiful little house and the outdoors to explore and friendly guests to visit, they are well taken care of.
The current owner, C. Elise Buckley, is the seventh owner of the lovely old place. It stayed in the original family until 1966 when Mrs. Jean Amsden Haupt passed away. Under the auspices of St. John’s Episcopal Church, the house became a dormitory for teachers who taught at Margaret Hall School. The boarding school had young women from all over the country come stay and be educated at Margaret Hall. The graduations were held at 277 Rose Hill Ave, where A Storybook Inn is now.
Margaret Hall was started by Jean Amsden Haupt’s sister, Margaret “Pearl” Voorhies Haggin, 2nd wife of James Ben Ali Haggin, by far one of the wealthiest men in America in his heyday. (So says his biographer). J.B. Haggin and Margaret Pearl were married in the living room of what is now A Storybook Inn. James Ben Ali Haggin owned Elmendorf Farm, copper mines, silver mines, manufacturing companies, railroads, the largest herd of top Thoroughbreds worldwide, and other very lucrative ventures. He built the first mansion on Knob Hill in San Francisco, a 61-room castle. He had another magnificent mansion in Newport, R.I., where he lived when he passed away in 1914. He was a contemporary of President Abraham Lincoln and President U.S. Grant.
Mrs. Jean Amsden Haupt was a widow for much of her adult life at 277 Rose Hill Ave. (A Storybook Inn), which actually became their summer home. She had an elevator put in the home so she could live out her days at the home. Their main residence for most of the year was a penthouse apartment in New York City, where their daughter Margaret (called Peggy) was educated. Peggy became a theatre critic. Her room at what is now the Inn is called Gone with the Wind. Her son William (Bill) Fishback, Jr. upon finding out that his mother’s suite had been named, “Gone with the Wind, “remarked, “Oh, mother would have been thrilled!”
The old playhouse in the courtyard at A Storybook Inn was “Peggy’s Playhouse.”
Jean Amsden Haupt’s husband, William Medlar Haupt passed away in New York very unexpectedly from a routine surgery. His grandson William (Bill) Fishback, Jr. shared the saved obituary with Elise, the Innkeeper. One of the things mentioned is that Mr. Haupt, because of his untimely death, did not get to keep a luncheon appointment scheduled in his appointment book. It was with Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip.
Interestingly, as a side note, in 2007 when Queen Elizabeth II came to Kentucky for the Kentucky Derby, she stayed at Lanes End Farm, in Versailles, minutes from A Storybook Inn. Her entourage, consisting of the British Ambassador, Sir David Manning, and his wife, Lady Catherine, the queen’s private physician Dr. David Swain, and her personal secretary and others stayed at A Storybook Inn. (They were a joy to host.) The Ambassador, Sir David Manning, in a letter to the Innkeeper after returning to Washington, D.C. wrote, “The Storybook Inn of the future will go from strength to strength.” And the Innkeeper’s favorite, “Surely your breakfasts are a national treasure!”
The Innkeeper, Elise, has a love of genuine history and the restoration of historic buildings and places. With much sweat equity, long hours, a large amount of borrowed funds and a lot of help from others, she fashioned the wonderful historic home at 277 Rose Hill Ave into an upscale Bed and Breakfast Inn called "A Storybook Inn". She has overseen 2 massive renovations and restorations.
Today, the Inn, after 21 years, has won 3 “top ten, best of the best” national awards, as well as state and regional awards, A Storybook Inn has been a member of Select Registry, America’s Distinguished Inns, since 2007. All of Select Registry’s inns are inspected regularly to ensure the quality remains for each of its upscale member partners.
The home in its heyday was known as a gathering place for friends and family on Sunday afternoons and during the Keeneland Meet. And now, as a Bed and Breakfast, it is a fantastic gathering place for visitors from around the world. It is ground zero for the Bourbon Trail and for world-class Horse Farms.
In the first restoration of 2004 that Ms. Buckley oversaw, the thick hardwood floors were refinished to the beauty of the original beautiful wide-planked Ash. The exquisite original hand-cast plaster crown molding in the 31-foot-long formal Living Room was restored and the walls were painted a rich Ralph Lauren Amalfi Red with white trim to accentuate the hand-crafted white Chippendale molding and plaster-cast crown molding.
The wonderfully deep coffered ceiling of the 23-foot-long dining room is beautifully intact. The once cracked plaster walls of the dining room had a craftsman, Steven Walker, apply Italian plaster with crushed marble (that he imported from Italy) to finish the walls to a stunning high marble sheen.
The working elevator, though dating back to the 1960s, has been professionally inspected and pronounced in fine condition.
Architectural Kitchen and Baths, a company out of Lexington, with very specific input from Elise, the Innkeeper, designed the current state-of-the-art ‘dream’ kitchen. It was a massive undertaking, knocking out 4 walls, including a load-bearing wall. 4 ovens, 3 warming drawers, 5 sinks, a commercial dishwasher and a domestic dishwasher, a wine cooler, 2 under-counter U-line refrigerators, as well as a large built-in Viking refrigerator were installed. The kitchen has original exposed brick and is flanked by custom-fluted bookcases. The 9-foot cabinetry, bookshelves, and custom-built China cupboard were built and installed by Barber Cabinets, a local time-honored cabinet company that lives up to its good reputation.
Because the previous owners did not cook, (their words) the original large kitchen was converted to a raised wood-paneled room that conjures up images of smoking jackets and Old World Club drawing rooms...but no smoking allowed in this lovely room! (Or anywhere at the Inn). It was handcrafted by local finish carpenter, custom mill artisan, Greg Leigh, and is NOT open to the public. A kitchenette, large bathroom, and walk-in closet were added in 2010 to make very comfortable quarters for the Innkeeper.
The ancient stone pond was restored and many years of buildup was removed. The unique pond is large with straight concrete sides and aggregate bottom and is believed to be spring-fed since the water level did not alter during the drought of several years back. Where there was once a fountain long ago, the pond now features a lovely wide stairstep waterfall that is both a delight to the eyes and ears. The requisite water lilies have been added.
The property has the original carriage house that is now a four-bay garage. The four horse stalls on the right are still intact to the right of the first parking bay. Over the top is the 2000+ sq. feet floored loft where hay and grain were once stored, then dropped to horses below via trap doors in the floor. In the basement or lower level of the carriage house is a large stone room called the milking parlor with the metal and concrete milking stalls still intact.
The extensive grounds have been reclaimed and many blooming trees such as Japanese Cherry, Redbud and pink and white Dogwoods have been planted by professionals along with multiple Magnolias, Boxwood, Spruce, Pine, Leland Cypress, and numerous rose bushes. The owner, Elise, has been collaborating with a local landscape designer to realize an authentic look befitting the grandeur of the property. There are stone walkways added as well as several places to just sit and enjoy the private haven away from the world.
The stone retaining wall that wraps around the left side of the property was also restored stone by stone in a dry-stack fashion.
The old painted brick wall (to match the main house) to the right of the front of the Inn, with the English-style arched paned door was not in good shape and had to be replaced. A new arched, deep-paneled custom mahogany door was fashioned by a company in Lexington. Many guests comment that it looks like the door to the “secret garden.” Some English guests have remarked that their ‘grandmum’ had such a door in a wall, which evoked a fond memory for them.
The guest rooms are designed and tastefully appointed with classic movie themes. They are richly done with commissioned original oil paintings, antiques, and antique reproductions. Far from feeling stodgy, the suites are not only very welcoming and comfortable but very private as well. The window treatments are all custom. The bedding and mattresses are of exceptional quality, affording a refreshing night's sleep.
Behind the wooded property line, there is the historic Big Spring Park, with its mostly wooded paved walking trail, meandering peacefully over bridges and creeks, and ending behind the courthouse on Park Street. The front of Big Spring Park behind the courthouse is being renovated beautifully for events and families to enjoy.
One often hears the cliche that some properties are like “stepping back in time.” Though an oft-used cliché, we have heard that often, though of course with all the modern amenities. WIFI, heating and air conditioning, “Smart TVs, comfortable Stearns and Foster mattresses, beautiful design, and unbelievably great breakfasts, made from scratch, using fresh, organic ingredients.
I, Elise the Innkeeper, was very blessed to get to know the grandson of the original family that built the home. Bill has since passed away, but in the early years of the Inn, he “William Fishback, Jr., a professor at the University of Virginia, and his wife Sara were frequent guests. Because of the wonderful memories of spending summers with his grandparents at 277 Rose Hill Ave, the property was very dear to his heart. He shared the history with me of the property. He also had 4 photo albums of the property in all its stages. He was at first a bit reticent to come to visit the home ‘in person,’ afraid that it would be so different, possibly with divided rooms. But he did come visit and was thrilled because the rooms and suite sizes were as they were originally. As he prepared to leave, after his first visit, he, a tall older gentleman with a sports coat and bowtie, he smiled warmly and gave me, Elise, a big hug and said, “Goodbye Cuz.” So, you see, you really can go home again...at A Storybook Inn.
C. Elise Buckley, Innkeeper, A Storybook Inn
