GREENE – The owners of what is perhaps Greene’s most historic residence are inviting travelers to “be their guest” at their federal style home.
“It’s a landmark in this area,” said proprietor Claudia Kachmarik, who, with husband Stephen, purchased the 2 Juliand St. property in March. In October, they opened it as a bed and breakfast, The 1810 Juliand House.
According to Kachmarik, she and her husband were drawn to the house because of its history. Originally constructed in 1810 by Captain Joseph Juliand, the structure was both a stagecoach inn and private residence for the Juliand family. Tomahawk marks in one of the structure’s two front doors, both still original to the home, bear testament to the tumultuous times in which Greene’s early settlers lived. There are tales, too, of Native Americans camping over night in the yard.
The new homeowners have also found a secluded “room” at the end of a long crawl space off the cellar, which they believe may be evidence that the house was a stop on the Underground Railroad. While Kachmarik says they need to have this validated, she does know that a descendent of Juliand’s who lived in the house was an abolitionist.
Kachmarik said the nearly 5,000 square foot home is typical of an “upscale” residence of the era.
“This was the style of a federal house of that time period,” she explained.
The home stayed in the Juliand family for roughly 175 years, until it was sold in the mid-1980’s. Throughout the years, the integrity of its architecture was maintained.
“They did a great job of keeping it in the style while still modernizing it,” she said, of the home’s previous owners. She and her husband were determined to continue in that same vein as they transformed the residence into a bed and breakfast.
“It’s a labor of love,” Kachmarik explained. “We’re proud of the history of the house.”
The 1810 Juliand House has four bedrooms to let on the second floor, three of which have private baths and one with a shared bath. The Captain’s Room, named after Captain Joseph Juliand himself, features a four-poster king-size bed and private bath. Hannah’s Room, named after Juliand’s wife, has a queen-size bed and is decorated in a French style. The Hornby Room, also with a queen-size bed, bears the name by which Greene was known before it was changed to honor Revolutionary War hero Nathanael Greene. The fourth and final room has a standard double bed and is known as the Vet’s Room, in honor of one of the last of the Juliands to live in the house, Dr. Louis Juliand, who was a veterinarian.
All rooms are currently being offered at an introductory rate of $89 per night, which includes a full breakfast. Guests also have access to several rooms downstairs, including a full kitchen, a sitting room and library with wireless internet access. Pets and rates for long-term guests are negotiable.
“We are certainly open and taking holiday guests,” Kachmarik said, explaining that she and her husband have welcomed a steady stream of guests over the last two months.
Kachmarik said word has already spread about the establishment, which has welcomed a steady stream of guests over the last two months. In an area in such need of accommodations, she and her husband are confident that as word spreads about the establishment business will continue to pick up.
“We’ll be as busy as we want to be,” she said.
Their website, www.the1810juliandhouse.com, is currently “under construction,” but the bed and breakfast owner said she hopes to have it online soon. For the time being, those looking for more information should call 242-1338.
The new establishment is still a work in progress, according to its owners. The 1 1/4 acres on which the house sits is all that remains of Juliand’s original 300 acre farm, but the Kachmariks plan to make good use of the property. Their intention is to restore the home’s original smokehouse to working order, and offer guests their own smoked meats, she said. She and her husband also intend to use the south-facing yard to host outdoor musical and theatrical performances.
“This is just a perfect venue,” reported Kachmarik, who is director of music for the first Congregational Church and a member of a local madrigal choir.
So far, the community has been very welcoming and supportive of the new venture, she says, as well as curious.
“Everyone knows the history of the building, but no one has been inside,” Kachmarik said. In October, local business owners had a chance to do just that when she and her husband hosted a Business After Hours event for the Greater Greene Chamber of Commerce.
Community members will have a chance to catch a glimpse inside, as well, on Saturday, Dec. 11. The 1810 Juliand House is one of four historic structures on the Greene Historical Society’s Holiday Historic Home Tour. For more information on the event, contact GHS at 656-8314.