Our Story


Several generations of our family were in the horticulture business, mainly harvesting apple and peach trees, so we decided to delve into viticulture. My wife and I spent several years pruning, tying and harvesting grapes before we finally decided that we needed to head in a different direction. Preferably a path that didn’t involve agonizing over the whims of Mother Nature.

So, in 1998, we began our bed and breakfast adventure.

My personal love of Western Reserve architecture formed the foundation for building our new business. Research began with our area of the Western Reserve, known as New Connecticut. The name itself brings to mind the New England area, so I headed in that direction and settled on modeling our inn after a 19th century New England meeting house.

All we needed was a name.

Harpersfield Township was established in 1798, named for the first settlers in the area, Alexander and Elizabeth Harper. Their son, Colonel Robert Harper, is known for his construction of a local historic home by the name of Shandy Hall. He lived in the home with his wife Polly and their three daughters: Ellen, Jane and Annie. Their story inspired our name.

Research showed that Robert was a prominent figure in the community while his wife faded into the background. In light of this, I decided to christen our business in her name.

The Polly Harper Inn was born.

We wanted to carry the same theme inside as well, so our three guest rooms are also named for the family:  Robert Harper, Polly Harper and Annie Harper.

2018 marks our 20th anniversary and we look forward to the future.