Call this Historic, Luxury Mansion Your Home

This amazing mansion was recently featured on national television for its rich history and luxurious charm. Now, we're opening this luxury mansion to you!


Rooms and suites, furnished and unfurnished, long-term and short, are available in this historic mansion on South Beaver Street in the historic district of downtown York, Pennsylvania.


Walking distance from the historic market, visitors’ center, historic theaters, museums, new baseball stadium, shops, office and government buildings, the college, rail trail, park, even the Articles of Confederation – in the center of it all.


Living in luxury can be more affordable than you think. Nightly rates rival those of corporate hotels, but what you find here is much more impressive than anything you’ll find at your average hotel.


There are a number of options available. Rent a room, 2-bedroom suite, or 3-bedroom suite, complete with antique furniture and decorations, or unfurnished if you prefer. There's also a downstairs office or bedroom with a separate entrance in a commercially zoned area.


Utilities -- gas, electric, and water -- are included in the rent prices. And living in living in historic luxury like this is more affordable than you may think.


All renters are granted shared access to large dining room, eat-in kitchen, and the elaborately decorated, formal parlor -- as well as laundry and storage facilities in the three-room basement.


The house will impress your friends, family, and visitors. It was featured on the program “If Walls Could Talk” on HGTV on Christmas Eve. The woodwork, hand plastered medallions and molding, herringbone, inlayed floors, stained glass windows, gold-plated, hand-crafted Pier mirrors, antique chandeliers and light fixtures, gasolier, 12-foot ceilings, 9-foot tall windows, curved walls, and elaborate decorations will amaze you.


Short-term stays are fine. This was once a successful Bed & Breakfast, so it's well suited for shorter stays. Coming to town for the Antique Festival or Garden Show, or another of York's popular events? Let us know and we'll reserve a room for you.


The formal parlor is perfect for events as well: readings, meetings, receptions, gatherings, you name it.


Email us for more details. Rooms and suites are available NOW -- whether you want to stay for one year or one night.


See the beautiful pictures and read about the rich history below.


Email us to set up a tour, reserve a room or suite, or ask questions. We look forward to personally welcoming you to the Historic York Inn.


yorkinn@gmail.com

The Parlor

The formal parlor features Gold leaf, hand-crafted Pier mirrors.

An appraiser sponsored by HGTV said that the set of mirrors is literally one-of-a-kind. There is no other known set like this one in the world.

The mirrors were commissioned by owner Henry Smyser in the mid 1800s and hand crafted in Italy. He then had them transported by ship to the United States. Gold from Henry's own California Gold Rush expedition (documented at the local museum) was used to leaf the mirrors. The mirrors also serve as drape covers and plant stands.

The parlor also features two stunning marble mantles, an antique crystal chandelier, enormous double doors with ornate hinges and door knobs, and furniture once used by the Smyser-Bair family.

Welcome to a Home with History

Welcome to The Historic York Inn, also known as The Smyser-Bair House.

The Smyser-Bair House is a historic mansion located at 30 South Beaver Street in the historic downtown center of York, Pennsylvania.

The historic mansion was featured on national television in December 2007 for its rich history and elaborate, one-of-a-kind features.

The home was purchased by Dr. Henry Smyser in the mid-1800s. It then went to his son-in-law, Robert C. Bair. The last family member to own the home left it to the historical society in 1979.

In the 1980s and 1990s, the Smyser-Bair House was operated as a successful Bed and Breakfast. Its success was due in part to it's beauty and history, and in part due to it's central location to York, Gettysburg, Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Hershey, Lancaster, Baltimore, Washington DC, and a number of interesting sights nearby, making it a perfect place for an extended vacation of day trips.

Now, The Historic York Inn is maintained as a residence as well as a live-in museum. Decorated with antique furniture and maintaining the look and feel of a mansion from the 1800s, the home features well-preserved details from the past, including gold-leaf, Italian, handcrafted Pier mirrors covered by gold from Henry Smyser’s own Gold Rush expedition, crystal chandeliers, hand-crafted ceiling medallions and crown molding, stained-glass windows with family crests, antique, 100 percent porcelain sink and water closet, 9 to 12 foot ceilings throughout the home, hand-cast, iron window heads, stunning mantles and marble fireplace surrounds, a second floor balcony, and a beautiful mural out back where the stable once stood in the brick courtyard.

In addition to being the residence of its owners, The Historic York Inn has rooms and suites, furnished and unfurnished, for rent to tenants who appreciate fine, historic homes.

There are a number of options in this spacious mansion, and all options include shared use of the large eat-in kitchen, sunken dining room, and elaborate parlor as well as the laundry facilities and storage in the 3-room cellar.

Annual, semi-annual, and short-term rentals are all available. You’re welcome at the Historic York Inn / Smyser-Bair House whether you want to stay for one year or one night.

The owners plan to re-establish The Historic York Inn as a bed and breakfast with an interest in preserving and sharing the rich history of the home. Until then, contact the owners, for details on how you can rent a room, office, studio, meeting space, or arrange for a tour of the Smyser-Bair House.

Send an email to Yorkinn@gmail.com.

The Grand Staircase

The Grand staircase in the foyer outside the parlor is one of two in the home, as seen from inside the parlor here. Note the elaborate carved wood along the edges of the stairs, and the large, solid banisters that begin at the ground floor and soar all the way to the 4th floor.

The Reiman Room

The Reiman Room features a beautiful mantle, an antique Gasolier from the 1800s that has been carefully converted to an electric light, and an elaborate, built-in pier mirror with detailed carving. Three tall windows look out the front and side. The rich, red walls add to the stately feel of this room.

The Groff Room

The Groff Room features an antique oak bed painstakingly converted to a queen, an amazing marble mantle. It also features a built-in book shelf, an antique light fixtures, lithographs from Williamsburg, and private access to the second-floor balcony. With its green walls and handsome decorations, this room has a bit of a hunter’s lodge feel to it and is perfect for the adventurous visitor.

The Lanius Room

The Lanius Room features a unique curved wall, and the beautiful, inlaid floors include a design that curves right along with it. The room also features a built-in Pier mirror. The room is named for Henry Smyser’s mother, Ms. Lanius, which was also his middle name. This room, with its floral wallpaper and antique sewing machine, is a tribute to mothers everywhere.

Historic Decorations

The Smyser-Bair House is an important and well-respected historical site to York, Pennsylvania. And since York is the nation’s first capitol, where the founding fathers signed the original Articles of Confederation, it is arguable that this home is an important one to all of America.

Ask anyone who knows the history of York about the Smyser house or the Smyser-Bair house, and they’ll tell you exactly where it is, along with a story or two about its history.
In fact, one person’s dissertation focused on the importance of the historic mansion.

The Historic York Inn is on the Federal Government's National Register of Historic Places as well as the York Historic Walking Tour.

It was featured on national television as recently as December 2007 for its rich history, unique embellishments, and luxurious charm.

A U.S. President even made plans to stay here. Charles Dickens said the best steak he ever ate was right up the street. The home was even opened up to victims of the recent Katrina disaster, which garnered a letter of appreciation from the mayor.

Make your own mark in the history of the Historic York Inn by reserving a room or suite now. Just email us at YorkInn@gmail.com.

The Quickel Suite

The Quickell Suite is a two-room suite that includes two smaller rooms off of a private staircase above it. The room pictured here, from the suite, includes a remote-control gas fireplace where the original fireplace once stood. The suite also includes private access to the second-floor balcony, a large bathroom, and a huge walk-in closet. In recent years, it has been known as the owner’s suite.

The Balcony

The L-shaped balcony overlooks the beautiful garden and brick courtyard out back. Chairs and tables make it a nice place to lounge when the weather is nice, the birds are singing, the sun in shining, and a breeze dances across the balcony.

The Parlor

The parlor features Gold leaf, hand-crafted Pier mirrors. An appraiser sponsored by HGTV said that the set of mirrors is literally one-of-a-kind. The mirrors were commissioned by owner Henry Smyser in the mid 1800s and delivered from Italy. Gold from Henry's own California Gold Rush adventure (documented at the local museum) was used to cover the mirrors. The parlor also features two stunning mantles and furniture owned and used in the home by the Smyser-Bair family.

The Inn is Open

Welcome to The Historic York Inn, also known as The Smyser-Bair House.

The Smyser-Bair House is a historic mansion located at 30 South Beaver Street in the historic downtown center of York, Pennsylvania.

The historic mansion was featured on national television in December 2007 for its rich history and elaborate, one-of-a-kind features.

The home was purchased by Surgeon and local celebrity Henry Smyser in the mid-1800s. It then went to his son-in-law, Robert C. Bair. The last family member to own the home left it to the historical society in 1979.

In the 1980s and 1990s, the Smyser-Bair House was operated as a successful Bed & Breakfast. Its success was due in part to it's beauty and history, and in part due to it's central location to York, Gettysburg, Harrisburg, Hershey, Lancaster, Baltimore, Washington DC, and a number of interesting sights nearby, making it a perfect place for an extended vacation of day trips.

Now, The Historic York Inn is maintained as a residence as well as a live-in museum. Decorated with antique furniture and maintaining the look and feel of a mansion from the 1800s, the home features well-preserved details from the past, including gold-leaf, Italian, handcrafted pier mirrors, crystal chandeliers, hand-crafted ceiling medallions and crown molding, stained-glass windows with family crests, antique, 100 percent porcelain sink and water closet, 9 and 12 foot ceilings throughout, hand-cast, iron window heads, stunning mantles and marble fireplace surrounds, a second floor balcony, and a beautiful mural out back where the stable once stood in the brick courtyard.

In addition to being the residence of its owners, The Historic York Inn has rooms and suites, furnished and unfurnished, for rent to tenants who appreciate fine, historic homes. There are a number of options in this spacious home, and all options include shared use of the large eat-in kitchen, sunken dining room, and elaborate parlor as well as the laundry facilities and storage in the basement.

Annual, semi-annual, and short-term rentals are all available.

In the future, the owners hope to re-establish The Historic York Inn as a bed and breakfast with an interest in preserving and sharing the rich history of the home. Until then, contact the owners for details on how you can rent a room, office, studio, meeting space, or arrange for a tour of the Smyser-Bair House.

Just email YorkInn@gmail.com