Benjamin Ellis House
2311 259 252


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the house - the history





benjamin ellis house



circa 1853





In 1850, successful turpentine merchant, Benjamin Ellis, purchased lot 44 on Pollock Street in New Bern from the Lamott family. With his wife, Eliza, the couple built a classic two and two house for their growing family. The original structure had two rooms downstairs and two rooms upstairs with a center hallway and staircase. In addition to the main house, the couple also built a separate smoke house and a kitchen on the property. Below is a picture of the house during the occupation of New Bern by union soldiers. The Ellis house was occupied from 1862 to 1865 by Company K, Forty-Fifth regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer militia. Picture courtesy of Historic New England.


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MEET THE INNKEEPERS





Gretchen & Tracy Du Peza



Tracy hails from Mystic, Connecticut and spent over 30 years in the Information Technology industry with leaders such as Computer Sciences Corp, Compaq Computer and Hewlett Packard. Before retiring, he was Director of Sales Operations for HP’s Central and Eastern Europe Division.


Gretchen, born in Washington, DC, has a background in business operations and inventory control. While raising their three children, she ran two home based businesses – first a desk top publishing business while living on Long Island, NY and later as a sales consultant for a multinational kitchen products reseller in Houston, TX.


In the late 1990's, the family moved to Europe, specifically Munich Germany, where Tracy joined Compaq's European headquarters. There Gretchen served as a board member of an International Church. Three years later the family moved to Zurich, Switzerland. While Tracy led teams throughout Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa, Gretchen served on the board of the Zurich International School for nine years, ran an English language library and was President of the American Women’s Club for several years.


In addition to spending 15 years in Europe, early in their marriage (before children), Gretchen and Tracy spent three years in Africa, living in Johannesburg, South Africa. There they developed an appreciation for Cape Dutch architecture, furniture, wines and photographing the animals in National parks.


In 2014, the couple returned to the USA from Switzerland to care for aging parents. After spending an anniversary weekend at a local B&B in New Bern, the couple fell in love with the historic town and began exploring options for purchasing an Inn. Two years later they became the third set of Innkeepers for what was then known as the Harmony House Inn, now renamed Benjamin Ellis House Bed & Breakfast.


Tracy brings his interest in history and love of working with his hands to the business. Gretchen shares her culinary expertise gained from taking cooking classes around the world in preparing first class breakfast menus each morning. Capitalizing on their multicultural and business experiences the Innkeepers are infusing the Inn with international artwork, cuisine and a new vision while keeping the history of the Benjamin Ellis House preserved and celebrated.




Our POLICIES





Deposits

A valid credit card number is required to hold all reservations. We accept Visa, MasterCard or Discover. A one night deposit will be charged at time of reservation. Any balance due will be collected when guest checks in. Room balance may be paid with cash or check.


Cancellations

We require 72 hours’ notice for cancellation or shortening of your stay. This period is extended to seven days during special events and holiday periods. Cancellations made less than 72 hours before reservation will be charged for one night unless the guest room is re-booked. A cancellation service fee of $25 is charged on ALL cancellations. No shows, early check outs, and cancellations on day of reservation will be responsible for cost of the entire booking. Please note that we DO NOT accept cancellations sent via email. Call directly to cancel a reservation.


Check In - Check Out

Check in is between 3.00 (15:00)-6.00 (18:00) PM. Please contact us to arrange check in outside of regular check in times. Early Check In or late Check Out fees may apply.

Check out time is 11.00 AM. We can store bags in the event of an afternoon departure.


Children and Pet Policies

Children over the age of six are welcome at the Inn. Additional person in room rate applies. Questions? Please call directly to inquire.

Sorry, the Benjamin Ellis House is NOT able to accommodate pets.


Smoking and Open Flames

The Benjamin Ellis House is a non-smoking facility. Smoking is permitted on the front porch or Inn grounds. For the safety of all guests the use of candles or any open-flame product is NOT permitted in the Inn.


Room Rates

Room rates range from $119 - $189.Rates vary depending upon on day of week, length of stay, size of room and number of guests. All rates quoted are per room for either single or double occupancy. Additional guest in room is $50 per person per night (some restrictions apply). Rates include a full breakfast, 24 hour access to hot and cold beverages and snacks. Complimentary social hour available upon request. All rates are subject to change without prior notice.


Government/Business Rates

The Benjamin Ellis House honors Government per diem or Corporate rates for weekday stays (Sunday through Thursday). Please call to inquire about Government or business rates. Guests enjoy free high speed internet access in all rooms and off-street parking.


Special and Package Offers

Special package offers require certain minimum nights stay. Restrictions apply. Special Packages are not available for certain holiday and event weekends. Specials may not be combined with other discounts or packages. Please call to inquire about special package offers.



Our vision





Setting higher standards - at the Benjamin Ellis House we strive not only to do our best, but to achieve the highest level of service and quality standards for our guests.


Protecting the environment: Keeping the environment safe has high priority at the Benjamin Ellis House.


We recycle:

100% of paper, cardboard, metal, glass and plastics (as possible) are recycled at the Inn. We use manual grounds keeping machinery and compost all garden waste and kitchen scraps.


We are chemical free:

Chemical and fragrance free NORWEX cleaning products are used as possible.


We are Energy Star rated:

Our newly installed commercial kitchen includes only energy star appliances. Guest rooms and common areas of the Inn have newly updated Daikon split system heating/AC units. LED lighting is used throughout the property. Water saving shower heads and toilets are installed in all bathrooms.


We shop small and source locally:

When possible, we use only local sources for all products and services used at the Inn


Customer Service: Treating guests like family is an important priority for us. We not only respond to guest needs swiftly, but try to anticipate needs in advance.


Rooms services:
All rooms are equipped with USB charging stations for all electric devices. Additional outlets and work spaces are provided in most rooms. 24 hour access to hot or cold beverages and snacks is available for all guests. All guest rooms are equipped with hair dryers, bath amenities, pen & paper, flashlights and smoke detectors.


Foods Services:

Breakfast and other foods provided at the Inn are made on the premises. Fresh fruits, vegetables and dairy products are sourced locally as best possible. No artificial ingredients, colorants, or preservatives are used. We will accommodate special dietary needs as possible.


Concierge Services:

Additional services available upon request include: ice, extra glasses, iron & ironing board, Assistance provided for restaurant reservations, tickets for attractions, airport pick up and drop off services available on request. Guests may also take advantage of off street parking with motion sensor lighting behind the Inn.





Benjamin ellis house
Harmony house inn
bed & Breakfast



215 Pollock Street
New Bern, NC 28560
(252) 259-2311