Cumberland Manor Bed and Breakfast

Step back in time and visit The Cumberland Manor, a grand Victorian built in 1890. This 6000 square foot home has inviting public rooms elegantly decorated with period antiques and a beautifully hand-carved staircase. It has recently been restored to its original grandeur, complete with hardwood floors in every room, stained and leaded glass windows, coffered ceilings, elaborate wood work and upscale era fireplaces. Boasting a large brick front porch, it sits atop the Cumberland Mountains overlooking historic downtown Middlesboro and has views of three states.

The Cumberland Manor Bed and Breakfast is the perfect location for your wedding, shower, garden party or family gatherings!

Millions of years ago a meteor crashed in Eastern Kentucky. The enormous crater that was left behind is where Middlesboro is now located. As a result, the mountains surround us in all directions. The city, one mile west of the Cumberland Gap was founded by Alexander Arthur. He entertained wealthy investors from Europe to settle here with the prospects of income from iron mining and processing, like its namesake town of Middle borough, England.

The house that is now Cumberland Manor was built for the Secretary Treasurer John B. Cary. The Cary family lived here for a few years until the town went bankrupt. Several bad fires and lack of iron ore destroyed the local economy. The house was then bought by the Easton family who lived here for many generations. During the late 20's and 30's Middlesboro was known as Little Las Vegas. It was characterized by the massive bootlegging and prostitution that kept the area prosperous even during the Great Depression. It has even been said that for many years this house was a lucrative bordello.

The Proprietors, John and Jill West, formerly of south Florida, are the proud owners of The Cumberland Manor. Renovating this historic mansion and opening their home as a bed & breakfast has fulfilled their dreams and goals. Jill has collected antiques for over 25 years. Using her antiques along with sentimental pieces belonging to her parents and other family members, Jill has decorated the Inn with an eclectic and unique compilation. The love they have for The Cumberland Manor is evident everywhere you look. The warmth you feel when you meet John and Jill is the open friendship they offer. Soon they will have you feeling like part of the family.

In the newly renovated dining room, a three course breakfast is served every morning. Each course is served on a different set of antique dishes, flatware and crystal. Truly a beautiful, as well as tasty way to start your day. Breakfast is always a treat with a variety of foods varying to meet the guests' special needs or desires. Fresh fruit and healthy alternatives are a specialty, although we have been known to indulge in sweet homemade goodies as well. Gourmet taste and presentation along with the wafting smells of fresh brewed coffee and herbal teas await you every morning. Each breakfast is home cooked with love.

For many guests, the large wrap-around porch is a favorite spot to relax with refreshments, play games, read or just enjoy the fresh air.

~Stay at the Cumberland Manor and take a piece of Heaven with you forever!~

Special Events

• Weddings, Showers, Garden Parties and Family Gatherings
• April: Civil War Reenactment
• May: Mountain Laurel Festival - Enjoy the arrival of Spring with the fragrant blooming Mountain Laurel at this wonderful festival. Dances, concerts and carnival rides are just a few of the attractions of this festival. You won't want to miss the highlight of the festival - the crowning of the Mountain Laurel Queen.
• May - September: Bike and Car Show - Cruisin' in the Crater. For more information call (800) 988-1075
• October: Cumberland Gap Fall Festival - Held in Middlesboro on the campus of Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College. There will be crafts, antiques, car show, food and musical entertainment. Cumberland Manor Halloween Party (costumes required).

Autumn at the Cumberland Manor Bed and Breakfast
Colorful and Festive

"If our children had sent us to Europe, we couldn't have had a better time."

"How enchanting is was to leave the real world for a while and enjoy a time long ago."

"Great food and service in a unique old world setting ...such warm hospitality-a home away from home"

"My husband and I recently stayed two days at the Cumberland Manor B&B.. my first experience, and our stay was thoroughly enjoyable. I can't imagine any hostess who could equal, Jill, she's exceptional. Our breakfasts were fantastic.. and yes, you feel like you are with your favorite family member! Jill provided every imaginable amenity and I felt like royalty!"

"We stayed for 10 days and I will never stay anywhere else when I come to town , which is often. I had never stayed at a B and B and was full of expectations!! Jill was more than delightful and I now consider her a friend. Each room is so unique and well decorated, the house itself is fabulous not to mention the front porch and the lovely and quiet neighborhood. Homemade breakfast every morning, so delicious I am sure I gained 5 lbs!! Worth every bite!! I am already planning our next trip back and I can't wait to try out another room!!! I want to stay in them all!! I urge anyone interested in this kind of accommodation to PLEASE check out this Manor, you will not be let down. I know this review is all over the place but it was such a wonderful stay and I truly could go on and on. Thank you Cumberland Manor!!!! See you soon!!"

"My whole family has stayed at Cumberland Manor together on two occasions. Staying with Jill and John is just like staying with your favorite relatives. What a beautiful and peaceful place. Jill is the best cook and I wish I could have brought her home with me! Definitely stop here for some great southern hospitality!"

Middlesboro offers many memorable adventures. The Lincoln Memorial Museum honors our sixteenth president and our past while the many trails along Cumberland Gap National Park, Chained Rock and the Pinnacle Overlook fuel our psyche. It is the home of the Wilderness Trail where Daniel Boone and America's first pioneers crossed the Appalachian Mountains.

The ultimate golfer will appreciate "The Oldest Continuously Played Golf Course in America" and "Wasioto Winds", recently ranked 4th in the nation by Golf Digest, just minutes away in Pine Mountain State Park. A day’s trip to Knoxville, Dollywood, or the "Smokies" fills your vacation with fun, facts and flavor.

Pictured to the right is the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, the largest in the National Park System, composed of 20,000 acres, it has been called the "first great gateway to the west." Located in Middlesboro Kentucky, the park has historic roots in early westward expansion: an estimated three-fourths of the approximately 400,000 people who ventured out west by 1800 had traveled through Cumberland Gap.

Cumberland Gap is also an incredible destination for hikers and backpackers with over 85 miles of trails and numerous backcountry camping areas. Close by are the famous Cumberland Falls (the second largest waterfall in America). Once visited by England’s elite, you will be amazed with the parks trails, rafting excursions, and beautiful views including the only moon bow in the northern hemisphere.

Gap Cave, first named by Dr. Thomas Walker, as it is located in Cumberland Gap, was later called Soldiers Cave and King Solomon's Cave. The name Cumberland Gap Saltpeter Cave recalls the time when saltpeter was mined in the cave for gun powder. Cumberland Gap National Historical Park renamed the cave, Gap Cave, its original name. However, it seems most people from the area know it as Cudjo Cave. Cudjo was a runaway slave, who was said to have hid in the cave during the Civil War. The legend tells of Cudjo being killed by Confederate soldiers inside the cave. This is only 5 km from the border to Kentucky, which was a neutral state, and so would have been the rescue for Cudjo. So the legend tells of failure within looking distance of the goal.

Historic Martin's Station is an outdoor living museum featuring the most authentically re-constructed frontier in America.

The Middlesboro Historic Trail adjacent to the Cumberland River is a beautiful as well as scenic hike or fishing spot. Horseback riding and fishing are also available throughout the area. So if you want to get some fishing in while your here bring along your rod and reel.

Picture your wedding surrounded by the picturesque Cumberland Mountains.
Let The Cumberland Manor Bed and Breakfast fulfill your wedding dreams.