The Verandas Envelops Guests with a Sense of Magic
Before climbing the brick stairs to the imposing Victorian Italianate mansion in Wilmington, NC, I pause
to observe the structure's recent renovation. The colonnaded home bestows an inviting presence, and I
visualize each spindle, in the double veranda, as welcoming spirits. I eagerly respond to their magnetic
call.
Situated in Wilmington's Historical District, The Verandas is two blocks from The Cape Fear River and
the Riverwalk. The house was built in 1853 as a residence for Benjamin Beery, a local shipbuilder who
built blockade runners for the Confederate navy. Beery lived in the house, with his wife and four
children, until the end of the Civil War when he burned his shipyard to prevent it from being captured
by Union troops. Consequently, he lost his fortune and never lived in the house again.
After Beery moved out of the house, the building was used as a hospital for Union soldiers. During the
1870's, the house became the first Catholic girls' school in NC. William Cannady, Sergeant-of-Arms for
the U.S. House of Representatives, purchased the house in 1877 and hired Wilmington's most prominent
architect to redesign it back into a singular family dwelling. During this renovation, the exterior of the
house was transformed from Greek Revival to Italianate. The home remained a single family dwelling
until the 1930's. For the next sixty years, like many old homes, it experienced a checkered history. In
1992, the structure suffered extensive fire and water damage; it was boarded up for the next three
years.
In 1995, Dennis Madsen, a former interior designer for an architectural firm in Washington D.C., and
Chuck Pennington, a manager of commercial real estate, purchased the property. After spending over a
year-and-a-half spectacularly renovating the old home, Dennis and Chuck are hailed as the patron
saints of 202 Nun Street, the site of their magnificent bed and breakfast inn. Truly, it is an inn "second to
Nun."
The Verandas proudly offers guests eight corner guest rooms, each furnished in a distinct and
tasteful manner. Large and comfortable, each professionally decorated chamber includes an impressive
array of amenities--private bath, cable TV, radio/clock, individual climate control, private-line
telephone with modem jack. The private bathrooms are equally impressive with their offerings: marble
floors, oversized tubs with shower, marble sink counters, large mirrors, timed ceiling heat,
complimentary Caswell Massey toiletries.
If planning a romantic getaway, request Room #4. The king-sized bed is partially canopied by an
elegantly carved crown with gold trim; the rest of the bed treatment appropriately accentuates the bed's
"crowning glory." An American Empire sofa, upholstered in taupe mohair; two tapestry covered slipper
chairs; a desk; and other antiques complete the decor.
I begin my morning repast with coffee on the deck, overlooking the garden. I then move into the dining
room for a savory meal of Scottish oatcakes with mincemeat, bacon, and juice. Lulled by classical music,
while communing with new friends, the mysterious magic of the house begins working on me. Before
completing my meal, I experience a state of rare relaxation and serenity.
Before leaving, I climb to the cupola at the top of the structure. Looking over the historic buildings, I feel
like I'm in a slow-moving spaceship‹or, perhaps, just another world. That's what happens when magic
strikes.
NOTE: Reviewed by Maxine Pinson in the Summer 1998 issue of The INNside Scoop.
AT-A-GLANCE INFO
INN: The Verandas; LOCATION: 202 Nun St.; Wilmington, NC 28401; TEL.: 910-251-2212; FAX: 910-251-8932; ACCOMMODATIONS: 8 guest rooms; w/private baths; BREAKFAST: Full gourmet; RATES: $110 - $165; CREDIT CARDS: All major; SMOKING: NO; RECOMMENDED RESTAURANTS: Caffe Phoenix (343-1395); Elijah's (343-1448);
WEB SITE: www.verandas.com
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