Everybody asks . . .
How old is Ravenwood?
Although the design of Ravenwood Castle was inspired by castles built to defend the
border between England and Wales in the 12th
and 13th centuries, the building in much newer, of
course. Sue and Jim Maxwell
have been long-time Anglophiles (lovers of English Culture) and have
made many trips to
Britain where they first
enjoyed the concept of Bed and Breakfast many years before it was common
in
America. It was on these trips they
also got the idea for the Castle.
Ground was broken in September 1994, and the main Castle building was finished by May 1995. Although they had planned only four rooms for guests, for various reasons, a few more rooms were added along the way. The cottages in the medieval village were started in the fall of 1996 and the first three were ready for guests in the spring of 1997.
Ravenwood was the fourth Bed and Breakfast owned by Jim and Sue - the two have been in the B&B business since 1986. Before Ravenwood, the Maxwells had an ornate Victorian house that was somewhat castle-like in a Circleville, Ohio. However, the location was unpleasantly noisy, and the neighborhood had a lot of problems, so they decided to build “a castle in the country.”
The floor of the great hall and much of the wood trim in the Castle were adapted from the various castles and “stately homes” they saw on their trips. The game room resembles the atmosphere of many British pubs with its “faux stone” floor, tavern windows and great fireplace.
Ground was broken in September 1994, and the main Castle building was finished by May 1995. Although they had planned only four rooms for guests, for various reasons, a few more rooms were added along the way. The cottages in the medieval village were started in the fall of 1996 and the first three were ready for guests in the spring of 1997.
Ravenwood was the fourth Bed and Breakfast owned by Jim and Sue - the two have been in the B&B business since 1986. Before Ravenwood, the Maxwells had an ornate Victorian house that was somewhat castle-like in a Circleville, Ohio. However, the location was unpleasantly noisy, and the neighborhood had a lot of problems, so they decided to build “a castle in the country.”
The floor of the great hall and much of the wood trim in the Castle were adapted from the various castles and “stately homes” they saw on their trips. The game room resembles the atmosphere of many British pubs with its “faux stone” floor, tavern windows and great fireplace.
It was on these trips
that they also got the idea for
the tea room and cottages. The designs of these buildings were all
inspired by Sue’s photos of original British buildings. The cottage
themes were inspired by the occupations of people who might have
lived or worked in their cottage home
several hundred years ago. While in England, they also
came across various gypsy wagons which gave them the unique idea of
alternative lodgings for camping families.
On July 1, 2009, Ravenwood was officially adopted by
Patrick Wadsworth and Michael Converse.
Patrick had been a previous guest to the Castle grounds in
the early days and was in awe of the wonderful changes Sue and Jim
had made to the Castle.
Although this is the first Country Inn owned by the duo, Pat has 35 years in the Hospitality industry. Patrick was the Director of Catering at University of Maryland before taking over the events for the President Office at The Ohio State University in 1999. Much of his duties helped to shape the official entertaining at the University Residence, Pizzuti House. Pat is still a huge fan of the OSU Buckeyes and every once and a while, if a guest shouts O-H – you can hear him reply I-O!
Although this is the first Country Inn owned by the duo, Pat has 35 years in the Hospitality industry. Patrick was the Director of Catering at University of Maryland before taking over the events for the President Office at The Ohio State University in 1999. Much of his duties helped to shape the official entertaining at the University Residence, Pizzuti House. Pat is still a huge fan of the OSU Buckeyes and every once and a while, if a guest shouts O-H – you can hear him reply I-O!