STORY BY BENJAMIN LERNER
PAINTING BY PETER HUNTOON
PETERHUNTOON . COM
PHOTOGRAPHY JIMMY iENNER , Jr .
FRIDAY 3PM
Heading east on Route 11 , you will arrive at the center of the Chester Village Historic District on Main Street . Chester Village is home to several inviting inns and a wide variety of lovely shops , many of which are located in the bustling , central business area known as “ The Common .” The Fullerton Inn on The Common dates back to 1885 . It boasts 20 well-appointed guestrooms with private ensuite bathrooms . The spacious Bridal Suite is outfitted with a comfortable king-sized bed and features a wonderful view of The Fullerton Inn ’ s on-site gardens . Their aptly-named Porch Access suites offer access to a porch that overlooks the nearby Chester Town Green . Fall Foliage packages are available for visitors looking to make the most of their autumn vacations , and The Fullerton Inn can also host weddings and events for up to 150 guests .
Inn Victoria on Main Street is the perfect place for a romantic retreat . Their nine lavishly-appointed suites are housed in a classic Victorian structure . Each suite is named after a historic prince or princess , and they are decorated in a luxurious and regal manner that more than lives up to their names . Their three-room “ Princess Victoria ” suite is bedecked with antique furnishings , including a king-sized antique sleigh bed . It features a gas fireplace and an Aerofeel double whirlpool spa tub with chromatic mood lighting . In the ADA-Accessible Prince Albert Room , a queen bed rests on a solid oak floor next to a large sofa . Guests have access to a large outdoor deck with a hot tub , which is shared only with guests who stay in the equally-sumptuous Princess Helena Room . Inn Victoria offers a wide variety of travel packages , such as their Business Traveler package , Murder Mystery Weekend , and Quilting & Craft Retreats , among others . The Inn serves as an ideal venue for weddings , reunions , and all manner of festive events . Event booking rates are available upon request .
Drop your bags , relax , and take a moment to unwind and acclimate . An afternoon of historic sightseeing awaits !
4PM
Lace up your shoes and get ready to embark on an unforgettable walking tour of the Chester Village Historic District . Your tour begins at Brookside Cemetery , which is located on the northern side of Main Street . Two historic buildings stand directly at the entrance to the cemetery : The Hearse House and the Public Tomb . The Hearse House is a 1-story clapboard building with a slate-shingled roof that was built in the 1830s . It once stored the horse-drawn carriages that were used during many funeral processions . The Public Tomb building was constructed with stone blocks , which were sourced from the northern part of Chester . The Brookside Cemetery grounds are also home to a bronze Civil War monument with a life-sized statue of a Union soldier . The statue ’ s pedestal is made of locally-sourced Chester granite , and bears the names of the men from Chester who honorably served in the war .
Directly east of the entrance to Brookside Cemetery , you will find the structure that once housed Chester ’ s Baptist Church . Originally constructed in 1835 , the impressive brick church once featured a Gothic Revival-style tower and window arches , which were later replaced by a slated spire . Although the spire was destroyed in the mid-20th century , it was reconstructed in 1999 , preserving the historic structure for future generations to enjoy .
If you continue east on Main Street , you will see the Hugh Henry House on your left . It was here that the Honorable Judge , Hugh Henry , entertained U . S . President William McKinley during his visit to Chester in 1897 . The original Federalist-style building was enhanced with Italianate and Georgian Revival renovations in the late 19th and early 20th Century . Two front dormers stand over a
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