Beekman Arms- Rhinebeck, NY

Beekman Arms is certainly historic. Perhaps the country’s oldest continuously operating inn, it has been welcoming travelers for over 250 years. Incredibly colonial and charming, it just looks like a hotel fit for a founding father. Naturally, it hosted a few. George Washington himself stayed at the inn, as did Alexander Hamilton, and Arron Burr. In fact, the two traded insults at the hotel, which led to their famous duel. I imagine it happened over a few drinks in the tap room, but I could be wrong.

Rhinebeck itself dates to 1686, when a group of Dutch colonists purchased 2200 acres from area Native Americans, although at the time it was named Kipsbergen. Before long, the Dutch were out, the British were in, and land grants were being handed out by the Crown, including one in 1697 to Henry Beekman, for the purpose of establishing a settlement between Albany and New York City. Renamed Rynbeck, it was here in the early 1700s that William Traphagen established a tavern and inn, to service those traveling between the cities. In 1766, Traphagen’s son relocated the inn to the intersection of the King’s Highway and Sepasco trail, where it remains to this day.

Constructed out of stone and timber, with broad beams and wide plank floors, the inn was built to withstand potential attacks from area natives. It would be the British that would pose the real threat. During the time of the American Revolution, the 4th Regiment of the Continental Army preformed drills on the inn’s front lawn. When the British burned nearby Kingston in 1777, villagers sought refuge behind its sturdy walls. During this time, George Washington, Benedict Arnold and Alexander Hamilton were all guests at the inn, then known as Borgardus Tavern.

Following the Revolutionary War, the town of Rhinebeck grew, becoming a popular stagecoach stop between New York City and Albany. During this time, the inn also functioned as a town hall, post office, and theater. William Jennings Bryan was a frequent guest, addressing crowds on the lawn from a second story window. Later, when rail service was established at Rhinecliff station, wealthy New Yorkers began building country homes in the area, including John Jacob Astor IV, who would later go down with the Titanic. Many of these Gilded Age mansions still exist, and are open to the public.

In 1918, the inn was modernized, and a ballroom was added. It became a gathering place once again for the community, including for local resident Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who concluded each of his gubernatorial and presidential campaigns from the inn’s front porch. Under Roosevelt, the WPA constructed the Rhinebeck Post Office, located next door to the inn.

Since the early days, an impressive list of famous people have stayed at the inn. In addition to presidents and politicians, it has hosted a diverse cast of characters, from Oprah to Miley Cyrus. Even Sally Jesse Rapheal, and her red glasses, stayed here, as did Bill Murray. Oddly, no word of Mark Twain, which is shocking, since he visited everywhere. The rooms have been updated several times over the years, but fortunately still retain their colonial charm. They are rustic, with slanted floors and door gaps, but a complimentary decanter of sherry is included in the room. Drink enough, and you won’t notice. It is the perfect place to stay and explore the Hudson Valley region, including neighboring Hyde Park and the magnificent Vanderbilt mansion.

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