Known for years as the Milton Brown house, the residence was lovingly designed and built by Milton Brown in 1901 for his bride Fannie. While honeymooning in Europe during the first year of marriage, Fannie selected wallpaper for their new dining room in Salisbury. Her selection, featuring a hunting scene, still hangs in Rowan Oak's dining room today, in addition to an oil-on-corduroy painting of Queen Louisa of Mecklenberg/Prussia commissioned by Fannie.
The stairwell in the entry area of Rowan Oak is magnificent. Enhanced with a handsome backdrop of quartersawn oak wainscoting, an elaborate brass Newell post gas/electric light perches at the base of the stairs. An angled fireplace stands across from the staircase. Seven fireplaces, each framed with a different mantle and tiles, rest throughout the house.
The spacious bedrooms are located on the second floor, and each has a private bath and a telephone as well as a unique decor. Even though bedrooms include private baths, guests staying in the Confederate room must step down the hall to reach their bathroom (terry bathrobes provided). The Bridal Suite's bathroom reigns as my favorite bath. Our assigned bedroom, the Victorian Room, remains my favorite bedroom. A massive four-postered king-sized bed dominates the Victorian Room. It is trimmed with an ecru crocheted dust ruffle and an embroidered duvet encasing a down comforter. A set of upholstered bed steps ease one's ascension into the bed. A marble top chest-of-drawers, a desk, an Abe Lincoln rocker, and a spacious sitting area complete the room. A Victorian paper, a coordinate of the wallpaper, covers the ceiling. I love the brightness afforded the Victorian Room by the large windows draped with moire jabots. At the front end of the second floor hallway, guests find a gathering area for visiting, reading, watching television, or browsing through a scrapbook providing the history of Rowan Oak House. Reading material abounds.
Approaching the high Victorian home, hugged by a large, wrap-around porch, I sense a feeling of warmth emanating from the freshly painted blue dwelling. Standing at the entrance, my husband and I admire the richly colored stained glass and the ornate brass door handle. The door, a handsome oak door exquisitely carved, opens promptly. We find ourselves encircled with the warmth and friendliness we attributed earlier to the wrap-around porch as Barbara and Les Coombs welcome us to Rowan Oak House.
Barbara prepares a full breakfast for guests, and each one outdoes the one before. We begin breakfast each morning with a warm, sherry-laced fruit compote and homemade saucy apple bread. We receive Eggs Derelict as the main course our first morning at Rowan Oak House, and the next morning we enjoy Spinach Lasagna. Ham, juice, and hazelnut coffee accompany each candlelight breakfast.
For adventurous individuals or sleuth wannabes, Rowan Oak House hosts Murder Mystery Week-ends on specified week-ends or by previous arrangement. Recently the recipient of AAA's 3-diamond award, Rowan Oak House provides a getaway to remember.
INN: Rowan Oak House; LOCATION:208 S. Fulton St., Salisbury, NC 28144 (near Winston-Salem & Charlotte); 1-800-786-0437; ACCOMMODATION: 2 guest rooms w/private baths, 2 guest rooms w/shared bath; CHILDREN: yes; BREAKFAST: full gourmet; RATES: $85 - $110; PUBLICATIONS: Oct. '92 "Country Victorian Accents;" RECOMMENDED RESTAURANTS: La Cava Northern (637-7174) WEB SITE: http://bbonline.com/~bbonline/nc/rowanoak/index.html
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