History of Ravenwood Castle
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 another city. 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 developed the ideas 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 homes several hundred years ago. While in England, they also saw various gypsy wagons which gave them the unique idea of alternative lodgings for camping families.
Although Jim has sadly passed away, and there was an interim owner for awhile, Sue has re-assumed operation of the Realm.
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 another city. 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 developed the ideas 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 homes several hundred years ago. While in England, they also saw various gypsy wagons which gave them the unique idea of alternative lodgings for camping families.
Although Jim has sadly passed away, and there was an interim owner for awhile, Sue has re-assumed operation of the Realm.