The Rose Hill Inn is an elegant 1860 Italianate mansion,
set high on a hill overlooking picturesque Marshall, Michigan.
Twelve-foot ceilings, tall windows with lovely views,
fireplaces, and fine antique furnishings combine to create a mood of
tranquility and escape from the modern world.
Once the home of William Boyce, founder of the Boy
Scouts of America, this spacious villa is the perfect place to celebrate
an anniversary or birthday, host an elegant wedding, hold a business
meeting, or simply escape for a getaway weekend.
Six guest rooms are decorated in Victorian style with
vintage prints, lace curtains, and antique lighting, but with modern
luxuries: private baths, central air, and in-room cable TV and phones.
Ample choices for inside relaxation include two formal
parlors and a cozy upstairs den. A small antique shop may lure you to
the basement, where you will also find a card room and a billiard room.
Situated on over three acres of landscaped grounds once
owned by author James Fenimore Cooper, Rose Hill offers guests the
opportunity to enjoy the private tennis court or swimming pool, stroll
in the gardens, or find their own place to relax, whether poolside, on a
shaded patio at an umbrella table, on the open porch bordered with
roses, or on the screened porch with a wicker swing (where the resident
cat can usually be found napping).
The town of Marshall boasts over 850 historic buildings. This community
of 19th century buildings is the largest National Historic Landmark
District of its category in the nation. Fine restaurants, antique and
gift shops, museums and recreation areas are all conveniently in town,
while golf courses, an amusement park, and a zoo are minutes away.
Rooms:
All of the rooms in Rose Hill feature private baths,
central air conditioning, cable television, phones, and down comforters.
All rooms are large and feature very tall windows; even the second floor
ceilings are 11 feet tall. Five of the six rooms are on corners, so
there is always good light. Rooms are separated by baths or stairways,
and the exterior walls are 14 inches thick, so each room is very quiet.
All rooms have one bed, at least double in size. Rollaway beds are not
available.
The Rose Room:
An ornate Victorian bedroom set features a 9 foot
headboard with matching walnut dresser and commode. An unusual half
armoire, Handel lamp, and nineteenth century sampler complete the
furnishings. The ceiling, painted in shades of rose, features a
plaster medallion and a rose chandelier to complement the rose
wallpaper. The hardwood floor is covered by an Oriental rug, and the
adjoining bath, in shades of cream and rose, features both tub and
shower. The Rose Room is the only downstairs guest room at the Inn, so
it may be your choice if you have difficulty with stairs.
The Violet Room:
The Violet room features a hardwood floor and floral
carpet. The enormous carved walnut bed centers the room, which also
features an ornate sewing stand, a mirrored shaving stand, and a
lockside dresser with hatbox compartments. Curtains are white lace,
and prints are yard longs of violets and Victorian ladies. The
beautiful violet-flowered wallpaper is coordinated with that of the
adjoining bath.
The Morning Glory Room:
This large room features a brass bed and an enormous
mirrored English armoire with matching dresser and commode. A
gentleman's and lady's chairs face each other over a marble-topped
occasional table, ready for tea or conversation. Colors are pale pink
and blue; prints are of Victorian children. The antique white marble
sink is taken from another Marshall historic home.
The Tulip Room:
The Tulip Room's walnut and marble bedroom set shares
the room with a graceful cheval mirror, a steamer trunk, and an
unusual Victorian shaving stand. An ornately carved lady's chair in
blue complements a walnut rocker in blue and rose. The white marble
sink is also a local antique.
The Lilac Room:
At the foot of the antique walnut bed is a quilt rack,
draped with a crazy-quilt of painted and embroidered taffetas and
velvets. Since this was a child's room at one time, a rocking horse
gallops over an Oriental rug, and a child's tea set sits high on a
shelf amid teddy bear participants. The bath features the original
claw-foot tub, modernized with brass fittings and shower. Colors are
pink and pale green with lilacs in prints and wallpaper.
The Pansy Room:
Once the nanny's room, some guests consider the Pansy
Room the coziest and most secluded room in the house. A white iron and
brass bed shares the room with a matched Victorian dresser and
commode. A Singer treadle sewing machine sits between the windows,
looking out on the back gardens, patio, and swimming pool. There is a
screen for discreet dressing, and there are pansies everywhere in
duLongpre prints, Victorian Valentines, and a painting done by a
nineteenth century lady. Colors are cream and burgundy.
Breakfast:
Breakfast is served fireside in the formal dining room
under a crystal chandelier on Haviland china. The room features an
original marble fireplace, Victorian furniture, and a floor stenciled
with roses. The menu includes seasonal fruit, juices, cereal, yogurt,
home-baked goods, and a specialty du jour, perhaps a crab quiche or
Cheddar casserole.
Parlors:
There are two parlors at Rose Hill. The front parlor
contains some of the most beautiful furniture in the Inn: the 1896 grand
piano, a highly carved sofa and chairs, and the red velvet tête-à-tête
(or flirting chair).
The two parlor have matching chandeliers that light the
parlors. The original interior shutters, that once covered all of the
windows of the house, add to the beauty of the parlors.
Leisure:
Enjoy an invigorating game of tennis or just kick back
and watch others play. The screened porch, seen in the background,
provides a comfortable place to watch the matches.
There is nothing like a playful splash in the swimming
pool. Poolside is a wonderful place to add to your sun tan or just enjoy
the view from the umbrella tables on the brick patio. Miniature and full
size roses surround the pool.
The pool is open from May - October. Changing rooms are
located in the pool house at the back.
Directions:
The Rose Hill Inn is located in the south-central
portion of Michigan. We're approximately 3 hours east of Chicago; 2
hours west of Detroit; and 1½ hours north of Fort Wayne.
From I-94:
- Exit 110 (old 27).
- Go south to Mansion St. Turn right (west) on
Mansion.
- Follow Mansion west, and it becomes Verona Rd, after
taking a jog to the right. Rose Hill will be on your right.
From I 69:
- Exit 36 (Michigan Ave).
- Go east.
- Go though the first light and continue traveling
east to Fountain Street (located on the left between Chinese
Restaurant and Clark station).
- Turn left (north) on Fountain Street for one long
block to Verona Rd.
- Turn left on Verona, and Rose Hill will be on your
right (about 50 ft.).
