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The
Mansion of Saratoga is now a historic Saratoga Springs area inn, but it was
built as an imposing 23-room Venetian, villa-style estate in 1866 by Hon. George
West. We are proud to be recognized by the The National Register of Historic
Places, the Nation's official list of cultural resources worthy of preservation. This building served as the West family primary residence until the family
relocated in 1875 to a larger residence located on Milton Avenue in Ballston
Spa, New York. This building, now raised, was part of the John Howey estate and
across from his primary paper bag mill also purchased from Howey. Thus in 1875
the building that is The Mansion Inn became the summer home of George West.
West
was born February 17, 1823 in Brandon, England and came to the United States in
1840 where he made his fortune as the inventor of the folded paper bag. A man of
many accomplishments, George West established an art and archaeological museum
in Round Lake, NY, served in the NYS Legislature and the United States Congress
in the House of Representatives from 1881 until 1889.
George West was known around the world as "The Paper Bag King" a title earned as
the worlds largest manufacturer of folded paper bags.
He died September 20,
1901 at 79 years of age and is buried in Ballston Spa, New York. For a more
complete history of Mr. West, click here: George West History
The
deserted Empire Mill across from the Mansion dates back to the early 1800's and
was the first of the many he owned after the Civil War. Behind the mill are
acres of great jogging and hiking trails complete with interesting ruins of some
of his other mills and the Kayaderosseras railroad, which are great to explore.
The
millpond and waterfalls located directly across from our Saratoga inn is one of
the most famous trout fishing sites in Saratoga County. You can try to catch a
record trout, walk along the shore of the stream or relive your youth and swing
out and drop into the clear spring fed pond. The Mansion you will enter is
very much the grand home of a 19th Century industrialist and after 150 years it
remains virtually unchanged.
This
Saratoga bed and breakfast is full of striking details, such as the six
fireplaces with massive mantelpieces, original brass and copper gas chandeliers
with Waterford glass shades, etched-glass doors, parquet floors of three woods,
2" thick pocket doors and even an unsigned Tiffany chandelier in the gracious
main entrance. In keeping
with the period, both the public rooms and bedrooms of The Mansion have been
elegantly furnished in fine Victorian antiques. You can sip wine or party with
friends in one of the two formal parlors.
If
you prefer, after a winning day at the Saratoga racetrack or before attending
the New York City Ballet at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, gather in the
library around the grand piano to listen, sing, chat or simply relax.
While
the Mansion is a step back in time, we respect the creature comforts of the 21st
century. The antique beds have been retrofitted to accept queen and king size
beds and we have replaced George West's "out house" with private bathroom
facilities within each bedroom.
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