CAVENDISH — A historic structure in Cavendish has been brought back to life. On Wednesday, Mary Jane and John Abbate reopened the historic Inn at Glimmerstone Mansion on Main Street. They are excited about their new business venture and seek to restore the inn to its original prominence. “This is something I’ve been wanting to do for years,” Mary Jane Abbate said. The Abbates moved to Cavendish from Glastonbury, Conn. They sold their successful construction company in 2007 so that Mary Jane could pursue her dream of owning a bed and breakfast. “My husband said to me, ‘You’ve done everything to help me get my business going. Now it’s my turn to help you,’” Abbate said. The Abbates looked everywhere for a bed and breakfast and fell in love with the Inn at Glimmerstone Mansion. The inn was built in 1845 and is known for its Gothic Revival architectural style and sparkling mica stone. The inn is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and a recognized landmark in southern Vermont. Over the years, the inn fell into disrepair. Ownership switched hands several times and eventually wound up in the town’s hands. According to Abbate, the Inn at Glimmerstone Mansion was sold at a public auction to an individual who wanted to turn it into a private residence. The deal fell through and the inn fell back to the town. When they heard the news, the Abbates stepped up with the necessary funding. They bought the property for $455,000 in October 2010 and got right to work. The Abbates invested $1.5 million in renovations and put in a new kitchen; floors; a heating system; telephone services; plumbing; a fire and sprinkler system; propane tanks and all-new landscaping. Mary Jane Abbate also restored the Glimmerstone’s interior to its original splendor. The bathrooms were re-tiled in early 20th-century style, the 165-year old Gothic-style windows were restored, and bedrooms were painted in their original colors. The Abbates also named their guest rooms after the inn’s prior owners, Henry Fullerton; Una Hadley; and the Gay, Bainton, Casey, Mills, and Jenkins families. “The town wanted this to be a community property. The Cavendish Community and Conservation Association was trying to find the funds to buy it and force residential buyers out. When they heard about what we wanted to do, they were on board,” Abbate said. The Abbates are currently renovating the barn and dining room at the Inn at Glimmerstone Mansion. The barn will host weddings and special events and the dining room will offer fine dining made with local foods. The dining room is scheduled to open in March and the barn in April. The Abbates are also building a new pub in the basement of the inn. It will offer drinks and light fare and also open in March, according to Abbate. The Inn at Glimmerstone Mansion is now booking reservations. “We love this place,” Abbate said. “One of the best things we hear about the inn are all of the memories people shared here. I’d say the house is happy.” For more information, call 554-0045 or visit www.glimmerstonemansion.com. @Tagline:christian.avard @rutlandherald.com

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