Bechtel Victorian Mansion Bed & Breakfast Inn

Our main entrance features a Grecian style peak supported by double columns.
Enjoy the view from the Turret Balcony on the third floor.

Located 18 miles east of Gettysburg, in the East Berlin, Pennsylvania National Historic District, the Bechtel Victorian Mansion Bed & Breakfast Inn is living proof of lifestyle in the late nineteeth century.

Take a look at America's History first hand, and see into an almost long forgotten era. Only a few miles away you can see what it was like to be on the battlefield at Gettysburg during a time of great national conflict. The surrounding western frontier and the Pennsylvania Dutch countryside is scenic and contains excellent cycling roads and a number of Pennsylvania German lattice brick barns. Bechtel Victorian Mansion is very popular with history, architecture and Civil War buffs.

Located on the corner of West King and Fourth Streets, the Bechtel Victorian Mansion is the largest residence in the town of East Berlin. It was built in 1897 for the family of William G. Leas, a wealthy wheelwright and banker. No expense was spared on the interior of this home, with oak, cherry, and chestnut woodwork, pocket doors, built-in cupboards and wardrobes, a grand staircase, and working transoms.

The mansion has seven guestrooms and two suites, all with private baths and air conditioning. Each room is individually decorated in country Victorian style, with antique furnishings, intricate stenciling or wallpaper, period brass chandeliers, and the owner's personal collection of Boyds Bears, porcelain dolls and antique toys. Lace curtains, new bedding and fluffy pillows add to the romance, charm, and comfort of each guestroom.

The only Victorian bed and breakfast in the York/Gettysburg area, the Mansion is also a perfect honeymoon and romantic getaway destination. It is only 100 miles from Washington D.C. and Philadelphia and 58 miles from Baltimore. The inn is also popular with Pennsylvania residents.

New Innkeepers, Richard and Carol Carlson, are new to Pennsylvania. Born and raised in Southington, Connecticut, they opted for a major change in occupation and lifestyle. Richard worked as a "bread man", first for Sunbeam, then for Freihofer Baking Company and Thomas English Muffins. Carol was a high school math teacher, with a degree in Business Education and certifications in Mathematics and TESOL.

Both Richard and Carol are "do it yourselfers." Since their purchase of the Inn in April, 1999, they have renovated or redecorated seven guest rooms and three bathrooms. They have also re landscaped part of the yard and have planted and transplanted many new flowers, roses and peonies in the garden. Richard likes to putter around with woodworking and refinishing. Carol has made dolls, quilts, counted cross stitch samplers and painted wood items.

Much of her hand work can be seen throughout the Inn, as she has made pillows, bed skirts, curtains and other window treatments and she has stenciled in the guest rooms and bathrooms. At Christmas, the Victorian Christmas tree displays many handmade ornaments, and each guest room is adorned with a handmade stocking. Currently, she is busy making quilts for two of the guest rooms.

While many people "dream" of owning a Bed and Breakfast, Richard and Carol are actually living their dream. They researched the business and attended several Innkeeping seminars prior to purchasing theirs. It took two years before they found a B & B that fit their criteria.

Breakfast is served between 8-10am in the dining room. Early coffee is available. Our breakfast consists of a fresh fruit or fruit cobbler, homemade baked goods such as muffins, breads, coffee cakes or scones and a hot specialty. Coffee, both regular and decaf, are available as well as an assortment of teas. Orange juice is always on the breakfast table. Let us know when you make your reservation if you have any diet restrictions or food allergies.

We try to use local fruits in season whenever possible. Guests might be treated to local strawberries in June, fresh raspberries in August, melons through the summer and recipes with apples such as hot apple crisp in October and throughout the winter. Start your breakfast with our red, white and blueberry breakfast parfait. A typical second course may be our simply cinnamon coffee cake. Its so simple yet so delicious.

Our signature dish is our orange french toast with orange syrup. This dish is a guest favorite and one that is often requested. Other dishes may include a very savory sausage puff which is one of Carol's own recipes with mushrooms and cheese in the puff pastry. Delicious belgian waffles with a hint of spice are another favorite.

Area Attractions

East Berlin:

Sweigarts Mill
Old Glory Antique Shop
Emily's Folk & Country Shop
East Berlin Historical Preservation Society
The Sunday House and Tin Horse Pub
The Mannings Handweaving School

York:

York Fairgrounds and Expo Center
Golden Plough Tavern, Bonham House
Agricultural Museum of York
York County Fire Museum
York Rail Trail (cycling)

Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Hershey, Pennsylvania
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, including Boyd's Bear Country
Antique Shops in East Berlin, Gettysburg, Hanover, New Oxford and York
Ski Round Top and Ski Liberty
Eichelberger Performing Arts Center, Hanover
Bridges Golf Club, Honey Run Gold Course, other area golf courses

Calendar of Events

• February and April: York Antique Shows
• April: History Meets the Arts
• May: Apple Blossom Festival
• June: NSRA Street Rod Show (first weekend in June)
  New Oxford Antique Show
• July: Gettysburg Battlefield Reenactments
• September: East Berlin Colonial Days (first Saturday after Labor Day)
• October: Apple Harvest Festival (first two weekends)
• November: Remembrance (November 19)
• December: Yuletide Festival