AWARD-WINNING AREA B&B A LABOR OF LOVE
Presented with Friends of Historic Kingston ‘Local History Award,’ The Forsyth B&B in the Rondout inspired by global explorers
KINGSTON, N.Y. » Tamara Ehlin holds a singular affinity for those who burst with “unquenchable curiosity.”
Ehlin 57, a chef trained at the French Culinary Institute in Manhattan, is so enamored with explorers that rooms were named after them at The Forsyth B&B, her new bed-andbreakfast at 85 Abeel St. in the Rondout.
“Our theme, if you want to call it that, is sort of the idea that you should just keep exploring in life,” said the Brooklyn native, who, along with her architect husband, Charles Mallea, opened up The Forsyth 16 months ago after more than a half dozen months of restoration work at the 19th century edifice.
“I have always been inspired by the people who have been the first to do something,” Ehlin added. You know, that is so brave.”
Recently, the Friends of Historic Kingston recognized the couple’s preservation effort with a “Local History Award” given to individuals for “outstanding work in the area of local history, restoration, and community stewardship.”
According to an historical accounting compiled by Ehlin, the property was sold to
the D&H Canal Co. by Jeremiah and Elizabeth Davis in 1826.
“According to notes from an old house tour, when the owners were Lillian C. Maurer and John Smylie, the house itself was built in 1838 with a wide front porch, giving it the look of a ‘Caribbean plantation home’ (although public records state the house was built in 1852,” Ehlin said in an email. “They note the storefront windows under the porch, which once housed a chandler’s shop for ship supplies.”
Ehlin said that in July 1857, the property was advertised in the Rondout Courier as “suitable for a dressmaker, sugar manufacturer, shoe maker or barber.”
“The apartments are well lighted with gas,” the ad read.
The property was sold in
1863 to Christian Forsyth, the account said.
“That same year, a Mrs. SA Van Keuren, advertised in the Courier, ‘a very neat and worthy lady has opened an ice cream and oyster saloon in the Forsyth Building on Abeel Street in this Village. Those who wish to become refreshed and ‘strengthened in the inner man’ are invited to call at this establishment,’” Ehlin said the ad reported.
Livingplaces.com describes the house as “another exceptional early 19th century house.
“It represents a transition from the Federal style with its low hipped roof, to the Greek Revival style, seen in its eyebrow windows and bold classical porch.”
Frequently, Ehlin — an event planner for non-profit organizations — had visited the Catskill Mountain area in the past. Those visits picked up once her sister, Tina Barry, moved to High Falls a few years ago.
Kingston seemed to the couple — looking to get into the hospitality business — like a sort of Brooklyn. The Rondout building struck an immediate chord, Ehlin said.
“The building was beautiful but it needed a lot of love,” Ehlin said.
So Mallea drew up the plans for the renovations that created four rooms on the second floor of the 4,000 square-foot home. Ehlin would not say just how much of an investment was made.
The preservation work also included a sweeping facelift of an 800-squarefoot barn out back, to be used for a variety of small events.
“We fell in love with the house and we could envision what the guest rooms would look like,” Ehlin said. “We created four guest rooms with four bathrooms, keeping original wood posts and beams visible, as well as the brick walls, eyebrow windows and wide plank floors.”
There is also a dining and living room on the first floor, with a spacious commercial kitchen where Ehlin stirs up full breakfasts included in the cost ranging between $199 and $259 a night for a stay.
And now, back to those explorers.
There is the James room, named after James Holman, known as the “blind traveler,” who was a British sea captain and adventurer. He died in July 1857.
“Like him, James is the subject of romance, drama and a little mystery,” the B&B website reads. “A California King bed is on a wooden platform between beams, creating a cocoon under two huge skylights.”
The Amelia room, named after famed female flyer Amelia Earhart, is described a “light and airy.
“A queen iron bed and velvet settee sit beneath a beamed ceiling,” the website reads. “A brick reading nook and wood details; a desk and plush chair offer options for checking out or checking in.”
Erden is a space that “features a king bed, brick walls, an original wooden post and beams.
“A separate daybed offers additional sleeping or lounging space,” the website reads. “The private, en suite bath features a deep soaking tub under graphic black and white striped tiles.”
The room is named after Erden Eruc, an athlete and mountaineer who in 2012 became the first person to solo circumnavigate the world using only his own power.
Isabella Bird, an intrepid 19th century world traveler, prolific writer, photographer and naturalist, is the inspiration behind the room Isabella.
“(Bird) inspires this charmingly modern getaway room with a plush bed, luxurious linens, and beautiful books,” the website reads. “There’s even a daybed for lounging.”