History and a home-grown welcome
Published Friday September 5th, 2008
A return to Albert County for Stephen Holstrom and his wife Elaine started their adventure as owners of the historic Peck Colonial House
The Peck Colonial House has been in the Peck family since Abiel Peck arrived in the Hopewell Rock area after the Seven Years' War, in 1765.
His tenth generation descendant, Stephen Holmstrom, with wife Elaine, returned to the well-preserved family home in 1989, and a year later the 'old Peck house' became the Peck Colonial House Bed and Breakfast and Tea Room.
"We both quit good government jobs in Victoria," reminisces Elaine. "I had never been east before, and Stephen had actually grown up in a house a few hundred yards away from the Peck house.
"But we moved in, realized the potential, and, needing an income, we started renovating to turn the house into a B&B."
Most of the work Elaine and Stephen have done is cosmetic, because of the excellent condition of the house. They've brought the floors and staircase back to their original wood, and added two bathrooms on the second, guest floor.
The tea room, at the back of the house, occupies the area which used to be the Peck carriage house. Entering the tea room is like entering an airy, elegant corner of the nineteenth century.
"We made the ceiling beams with rough-cut lumber," explains Elaine of the tea room. "Windows, doors, wainscotting and benches all come from different area churches that were either renovating or closing down."
Though called a tea room, full home-made meals are served here to members of the public as well as guests of the B&B. It is open from noon until 8 p.m.
Overnight guests are served their breakfast in the dining room on the ground floor, after a peaceful night's sleep in one of the three guest rooms on the second floor.
One of the rooms can comfortably accommodate a family of five, another a family of three, and the third, a couple. The rooms are furnished with graceful antique furniture.
"We have people from everywhere," enthuses Elaine. "From all over Europe, the East, and of course North America.
"Just this morning, a woman from Malaysia and one from Montreal lingered over breakfast, just chatting with each other."
The Peck Colonial House Bed and Breakfast and Tea Room are surrounded by 340 acres of crops and flower gardens. Guests are able to wander the gardens, which boast, among other things, over 2000 gladiolas.
Elaine has noticed a slight change in clientele in this summer because of high gas prices. Fewer people from the Moncton area are making the day trip to the tea room.
However, none of the bookings made last winter and spring were cancelled.
As a graceful, homey stop on a day-trip to the nearby Hopewell Rocks, Elaine's tea room can't be topped. The same holds true for anyone wanting friendly overnight accommodation with lots of character.
The Peck Colonial House is open from the May long weekend until, but not including, Thanksgiving. Photos and information are displayed at peckcolonial.com.
"It's been a great adventure," concludes Elaine. "We came without any particular plan, and with a lot of hard work it's developed into a very happy thing."
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