Affordable Elegance

Our History

On a hillside overlooking the village of Owego, NY sits the splendid Italianate structure that we have named the Glenmary Inn.

Outside our doors the large ginkgo trees have watched as the seasons and owners have come and gone, since before the Civil War.

In 1857 the house was build as a private residence for Henry D. Rice and his family. Unfortunately Mr. Rice never lived to see his home completed. In 1889 the structure was added to, with the whole rear three-story part of the house being constructed.

The house was owned by a number of Medical Doctors who used the home as a private hospital and was Tioga General Hospital, (county hospital) for a short period of time before the purchase of this structure by Pauline and Frank Michaels in 1947.

The Michaels operated a nursing home on premises until the mid 70's. For the next twenty plus years the mansion that had housed and been home to so many, sat vacant and began to deteriorate.

In 1997 after hearing of the scheduled demolition, the current owner Jane Taylor approached Mr. Michaels about the possibility of purchase, a deal was struck and the renovation began. (Upon your visit, check the photograph books in the Red Living Room and you can see photo's from the purchase, during renovations, and after completion.)

Jane's dreams were realized when in May of 1998 the Glenmary opened its doors for business as the Glenmary Inn Bed and Breakfast. Since then it has housed hundreds of guests from all over the world as well as hosted thousands in the many parties held here.