History of the Stuart Avenue Inn

At the center of the Stuart Avenue Inn is the Bartlet-Upjohn house. Built in 1886 by newspaper publisher Edgar Bartlett, this building was purchased in 1907 by Dr. James T. Upjohn, a Michigan State Senator and the youngest of the four brothers who founded the Upjohn Pharmaceutical Company. This spectacular example of Eastlake Queen Anne Architecture is a true historic gem. On the grounds of the Bartlett-Upjohn house still stands the original carriage house which now contains guest rooms.

The Bartlett-Upjohn House

McDuffee Gardens are named after Alice Louise McDuffee who had a nationally recognized Shakespearean garden on this site in the 1920’s and 1930’s. Footpaths meander through an acre of flower beds and past the gazebo, pergola, and fountain.

In 1983 the Stuart Avenue Inn officially opened as a bed and breakfast at this location where it continues to charm and inspire guests thoughout the year.