Jacob Hill Farm Bed and Breakfast Inn
Providence, Rhode Island
In 1991, Bill and Eleonora Rezek purchased the property which would become the Jacob Hill Farm Bed and Breakfast Inn.
But it took four years before they allowed their first guest to stay with them -- two of the three buildings on the grounds were in such bad shape that they were near collapse. After completing the reonovations, the Rezeks opened their Providence bed and breakfast, which now has six guest rooms.
Depending on the season, guests can pick blueberries, strawberries, pumpkins or bring home a Christmas tree. Hot air balloon rides are available nearby, as are horseback riding lessons. Among the breakfast specialties is stuffed French toast.
Recently, Eleonora took some time to answer a few questions about Jacob Hill Farm in Providence, Rhode Island.
Could you tell us about the history of your bed and breakfast?
The main building was built between 1722 and 1723 by the Allyn Family, who had 10 children.
In 1792 the Deacon Calvin Jacob bought the property, because of his prominence in the community the area became known as Jacob Hill, a name that has remained for over 200 years. The Allyns and the Jacobs were related by marriage.
The property remained in the Jacob Family for over 100 years. The next significant change to the property took place in 1915, when the Grosvenors purchased the property and made major renovations adding on the rear or side ell.
Up until this time, all the cooking was done over the open fire and in the beehive oven next to the fireplace, in what is now the Dining Room for the Inn. The Grosvenors built the ell as a kitchen wing with servant's rooms above.
The main house was dormered on the third floor, and the stairway that was in the front of the house was moved to the back of the main house. This allowed the stairs to continue up to the third floor.
After the Grosvenors reframed the house, they sold it to the Jacob Hill Hunt Club, Inc. This was a group of very affluent people, mostly from the east side of Providence. The Hunt Club members included such names as Vanderbilt, Chaffee, Gladding and Firestone. The Grosvenors were also club members.
Some relics that remain from the inn's heyday are:
- The door knocker on the dining room door. It was originally on the front door of the Hunt Club.
- The servant's call box, which is on the living room wall, used buzzers to summon the servants.
- The antique wainscot paneling is authentic to the Hunt Club, it was in the men's smoking room.
- The corner posts in the same room are exposed and marked with the date of the original structure in 1722.
The Hunt Club was dissolved in 1943 and the building became a private residence once again. It has had three owners until 1991, when we purchased the property and decided to make it into a bed and breakfast.
Those visiting are welcome to view and read the in depth 80-page history book of Jacob Hill Farm.
When did you become interested in historic properties?
I grew up in a house built in the early 1800s and have always been interested in the character that old buildings have. I always look at old abandoned buildings that should be saved.
When did you first visit this specific property?
May of 1990. We bought it a year later.
What made you interested in purchasing this inn?
A feeling. I just knew it would be perfect to make into an inn. It's not something that I can explain. We had no previous innkeeping experience but looked at many properties, private and turnkey.
Was a lot of renovation work required?
There are three buildings on the property -- a 13,000 square foot barn that was about to fall down, a carriage house that was no better, and the main building that was sound but needed everything. We secured the barn and carriage house first, then started on the main building from the outside in. We owned it for four years before we opened our first room.
What makes a stay at Jacob Hill Farm unique?
We overlook 50 acres. The space and view just makes you feel relaxed, yet we are so convenient to a major city (Providence) and central to other attractions -- Newport, Cape Cod, Boston, and Mystic all can be done on day trips. With the amenities that we have -- a pool and tennis right on the property -- it's like a mini-resort in addition to a little bit of a step back in time and an experience in history.
Please tell us a little about the Providence, Rhode Island, area.
We're central to all the well-known cities that I've mentioned, yet a little slice of heaven that as some say is a best kept secret.
What would you consider to be "must-see" attractions around Providence?
Providence and all that there is to do: "Waterfire," gondola rides, Historic East Side, ice skating at Kennedy Plaza, great restaurants, "Gallery Night." We also recommend a day trip into Newport.
