Tell us about your Bed & Breakfast and the services you provide.
We have 5 rooms, 4 1/2 baths. We serve a full breakfast of juice, fruit, eggs, bacon or sausage w/ toast, muffins, french toast…Kona Classic freshly ground coffee or hot tea.

What are some of the more unique events that you host?
Our functions that we have are class reunions, family reunions, weddings and receptions, corporate meetings, birthday parties, afternoon tea parties (for church ladies and showers, etc…). We also do private dinner parties for 15 or more. We have had anniversary celebrations complete with private dinner and special anniversary cake with a quiet relaxing night around the pool or front porch sitting in the wicker rockers.

This house must have quite a history. Can you tell us a little bit about its early history and how you came to own it?
I read in “Records and Collections of Columbus County” that this house was built around 1865, (civil war days) by Dr. William Jackson, believed to be the 2nd doctor to come to Columbus County, for his wife, Maggie, the owners daughter of the boarding house (The Baldwin House) of which he resided when he came to town.

Around 1899, as we were told by Mrs. Margaret Scott, (now deceased),and Mrs. Kea Gray, that their Granddaddy, John George Thompson bought the house, planted the magnolia trees, and did some renovation to the front of the house, building a porch rather than a stoop with columns. Mrs. Gladys Council daughter of John George Thompson, resided here next, with daughters, Mrs. Kea Gray and Mrs. Margaret Scott who later owned the home.

After many years, with children all grown and gone, Mrs. Scott sold the home to Dr. and Mrs. William (Lou Gray) Ogden, an orthopedic surgeon. Dr. Ogden did more renovations making it a perfect B & B plan of around 7000 + sq. ft. He had plans to retire here after his family of 6 girls left the nest. His only son was killed while in medical school in Atlanta just before moving here from Virginia. Dr. Ogden was well loved and respected by his colleagues and patients ….so many were disappointed when they decided to move to Montreat, NC where he is teaching in a hospital.

How did they feel about you turning the home into a Bed & Breakfast?
They seemed very happy about it, telling me that I should do weddings, receptions, and other functions that we now do. Most people have said that the minute they enter the door, they feel a warm “homey” atmosphere and feel right at home! This had been a “happy” joyful house with many friends coming through the doors…party celebrations, etc…so its personality doesn’t need to change.

I’m sure you get to meet a lot of interesting people. Where do a lot of your guests come from?
We have opened our doors to friends that come from all over the states, Japan, Germany, India, South Africa, Switzerland, France, Brazil, Canada, England, Turkey, China and lots of other places.

What inspired you to open a bed and breakfast?
We started this business because we love people, having come out of an unsuccessful restaurant business ,financially, here in Whiteville 8 years ago. This happens to be our niche, as both of us came from a home full of hospitality for all the visiting ministers and families of the local church. We give up our free time to meet the needs of visitors that come on business or pleasure…..they become our family for a short time and tell us that they can’t wait to come back!

What makes Columbus County a wonderful place to fulfill this dream of yours?
Whiteville and Columbus County is a good place to have a B & B for lots of reasons, such as, it is close to the beach area so as to … enjoy the shopping, shows, or a day on the beach and then come back for a nice quiet evening on the front porch. Our people are typical “small town”, friendly and helpful. We are also close to Wilmington, where a lot of my guest ride to see the “old town” and eat at fine restaurants there on the water.