McMullen wants the community to have more opportunities to make use of the Victorian gem, built in 1850. “People are so excited to see the community regrow here,” he said. “This community is longing for things to bring it together. We really want to open our doors to the community.”

He and partner Martin Borger, who took over Jan. 1 from retiring inn founders Maggie Bryan-Peterson and Jeff Peterson, want local artisans and farmers to supply the bed and breakfast. “We will source as much food from our local growers as we can,” McMullen said.

A potter from Fredonia, Ted Lee, will create new coffee mugs for the inn. A soap maker from Forestville will also provide products. McMullen is seeking art from local artists to put on display in the house.

As for the breakfast entrees, “we want to work on developing some signature dishes,” he said. He promised one will be a sandwich featuring Maggie’s grandmother’s classic tomato marmalade.

OBSERVER Photo by M.J. Stafford New innkeeper Phillip McMullen wants the community to enjoy, and contribute to, the Edwards Waterhouse Inn.

“Our goal is to bring in the community and make them aware of this treasure in their midst, and continuing to give back by offering opportunities to be in this space,” he said.

Built by Francis Edwards, a U.S. Congressman, the house saw a front addition, a third floor and a tower added in 1888. McMullen noted that it was housing for female SUNY Fredonia students in the 1950s. By the 1990s, it was a rather tattered apartment building — but the Petersons bought it and did a massive restoration effort, finally opening up the bed and breakfast in 2012.

“They restored it from the ground up. The walls were torn out; antiques were sourced, just to keep it as authentic as they could,” McMullen said.

He credited Maggie with most of the decorative touches. He said many of the antiques are owned by her; some will stay, and some she is taking. However, he promised the 19th century charm will remain.

“As the years progress, we’ll put our own spin on it,” McMullen said. “It’s so welcoming, you walk in and it feels like home. We want to make sure that is always the case.”