Rolling With Rudy
The Galen C. Moses House
Bed and Breakfast Inn
Article and Photos by Rudy Ferraro
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Galen Moses House Bed & Breakfast |
As Jim Haught showed me pictures of the 45 Christmas trees he themes each year,
it was easy to see how special the Galen C. Moses House Bed and Breakfast is to him and
Larry Kieft, both owners and Innkeepers of the Inn. The Nutcracker tree, the shoe
treeyou guessed it, trimmed with an endless variety of shoe ornamentsthe Santa
tree and the Angel tree just to name a few of the 45. Jim is proud to boast that he puts
up more Christmas trees than the White House. "One year I happened to read that the
White House had 40 Christmas trees displayed throughout the house and I thought, I am NOT
going to be outdone by [this] administration, so, 45 trees" Jim declared.
It's obvious how both Jim and Larry, owners and Innkeepers of the Inn, truly love
both the grand mansion in which they live and having guests "share the history of
it," as they put it. Painted shades of mauve, the Inn stands out among the other
homes on Washington Street in the little town of Bath, Maine. Proud highlights of an era
of great wealth and culture and the painstakingly detailed restoration that Jim and Larry
took on make the Inn a truly awesome sight.
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Interior of Galen Moses House |
Inside the Inn is no exception to the history and beauty of the house. Jim and
Larry's previous endeavors as successful antique dealers shows boldly as you walk
through the house. Jaw-dropping antiques make each room seem like something Robin Leitch
would have shown on his series "Life Styles of the Rich and Famous." Don't
let all the posh and restored historic excellence make you think staunch and stuffy,
though. Jim and Larry are two of the friendliest, yes and nuttiest, folks you'll ever
meet. They really make guests feel at home amid all that timeless beauty.
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Somemore of the scrumptious interior |
After a wonderful night's sleep in an antique canopy bed made for a king, or
queen if you must, you'll go down stairs to the formal dining room for a breakfast
you'll want to photograph. Those chefs on TV have nothing on Jim Haught. Breakfast at
the Galen Moses House is as luxurious as the Inn itself. You really won't be able to
stop the "mmm's" and "wow's" that come out of your mouth as
you thoroughly enjoy such a divine meal event.
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The courtyard at Galen Moses House |
Once you finish breakfast and some fun banter and conversation with the
Innkeepers, you can go sight seeing in one of the most picture perfect places on the
planet. Bath is known for its Navy shipbuilding, but its true fortune is its beauty.
Immaculate and pristine, Bath Maine is a town you'll not soon forget. Elegant and
grand, poised overlooking the tiny seaport, the town is nearly too pretty to be true. The
historic architecture and picturesque views make visitors take long, deep breaths as they
admire their enchanting surroundings. Maine's cozy little seaports all belong on
postcards or, at least, as the background on your computer screen and Bath is no
exception. Downtown Bath has plenty of shops and things to do, and even a neat little
coffee lounge that looks a lot like the one in the sit-com "Friends."
In the evening for dinner, Bath has a lot to offer, but for an experience that will
surely leave you with that warm fuzzy feeling, J.R. Maxwell & Co. Restaurant in the
historic downtown area of Bath is just the place. The food is great and everyone from the
friendly servers to owners like, Marry Ann Rogers, will make you feel welcomed and
comfortable. In an old red brick storefront building, the canopy over the door reads J.R.
Maxwell & Company, but it's the alluring aroma of fresh seafood that will pull
you in and not the sign. The clam chowder at Maxwell's is incredible and the menu has
a full variety of delicious steaks, seafoods, pastas and other dishes to choose from.
Maxwell's is a well-deserved tradition in Bath and one that visitors certainly
won't regret.
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A painting of Galen Moses
House in an earlier time |
The Galen C. Moses House Bed and Breakfast was designed in 1874 by Frances
Fassett for Mr. Galen Clapp Moses who was President of the First National Bank and
Director of Bath Iron Works. There is plenty of history, and even a few interesting ghost
stories, related to the Inn, but experiencing the Inn and all its elegance is really much
more than visitors would expect. Whether you need some time off from the hassles of life
and work or your heart wants that romantic get away all your friends will envy, Bath and
the Galen Moses House is the place. The rates are better than a hotel and the service
unequaled.
Rudy Ferraro is a freelance writer/author and motivational speaker
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