The Wyckoff-Mason House, located along Verona Road in Penn Hills, was constructed in 1774 by the original owner, Isaac Wyckoff. People in those days knew a thing or two about building homes to last. The log house was constructed of chestnut, which is not only strong and resistant to decay, but insects will not eat the wood.
Unfortunately, chestnut blight was identified in the U. S. in 1904 and made the trees far more scarce. Efforts to restore the chestnut population continue today.
In addition to insightful building practices of the 18th century, the Wyckoff- Mason House has survived because it has had a series of thoughtful owners who have cherished the home and cared for it like an old friend. Current owners Mary Anne Smith-Borneo and her husband, Hilary Borneo, are no exception.
“ I remember riding past the house years ago,” recalls Mary Anne,“ and I would always say,‘ One day, I’ m going to own that house and make it into a B & B, and that will be my retirement.’” As fate would have it, with destiny aligned perfectly, she wound up living at the property next door to the historic log house.
She got to know the owners at that time, Lillian Mason and her daughter Margaret( Peggy). Lillian became fast friends with the Borneos, and in later years Mary Anne and Hilary tried to help care for Lillian and eventually Peggy. When Peggy died in 2016, her nephew— who knew of Mary
Anne’ s great love of the house— gave the Borneos the right of first refusal on buying the home.
Interestingly, Lillian had made the same declaration as Mary Anne in the early 1950s as she would drive past the property:“ Someday I will own that house.” And in April 1960 her dream came true.
Shortly after acquiring the log house, Lillian discovered a long-forgotten coal bin in the basement, and the original spinning wheel that belonged to the Wyckoffs.
Likewise, when Mary Anne took possession of the house, she discovered a very old British toy made of metal, a metal trunk, and a peg of some sort for livestock.
A thorough cleaning of the house revealed a seashell from the 1700s, which had paperwork regarding the authenticity of its age.
The Borneos have installed a new bathroom upstairs, replaced old carpeting and tiles, and furnished the home with antiques. The house has some unique features such as the very narrow staircase, which was obviously built for the smaller stature of colonial-era inhabitants. But there is another staircase in the living room, which was built later and provides safe, easy access to the upstairs bedrooms.
Though the house has fireplaces, they are not in use since it would be too much of a risk. Most log homes have not survived largely because of the use of fireplaces and oil lamps.
The house is listed on the National Historic Register, but the only limitation on renovating is that the doorways and stairways cannot be altered.
Mary Anne is a teacher, and Hilary is a professional musician. But they continue to work on the home as time allows. One change they would love to make is to uncover the aluminum siding
that was installed on one side of the house to expose the original, vertical barnwood. They’ re amenable to any advice from experts who have restored historical log homes, since it’ s a very specialized field requiring a vast amount of technical knowledge.
The home is a popular listing on Airbnb and can accommodate up to four guests. Visitors love the chance to stay in such an old house. The Borneos are frequently asked if the home is haunted, and the answer is an unqualified“ No.”
Perhaps it has to do with the personal history of the home— which has been a happy one with owners who have loved living there— but Mary Anne says that rather than unsettling bumps in the night, guests report a peaceful, homey feel.
It is easy to imagine the 18th century inhabitants and their guests, however, in this aged setting. And the home is reputed to have been lodging for William Penn’ s brother, and Ben Franklin at least once. Perhaps the Borneos are actually the second family to utilize the home as a bed-and-breakfast.
There is a huge variety of people who pass through the doors of the Wyckoff- Mason home for various reasons. And Mary Anne enjoys meeting them all.
“ I very much like what we do. We had a professor from St. Laurence about a month ago. We have young people who are coming here for weddings, plus single moms and families. We had some caddies who came to work at the U. S. Open Golf Championship because it was close to the Oakmont Country Club.”
To learn more about the history of the Wyckoff-Mason House or to stay in this unique lodging, visit the Airbnb site. n
OAKMONT-PENN HILLS-VERONA | FALL 2025 11