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THE EARLY DAYS: Mary & Jerry Phillips, Innkeepers

In 1974, Mary and Jerry Phillips had no idea what a success their dreams of opening Wisconsin's first bed and breakfast would become. They simply wanted to "test the waters," to see if their business plan was viable. Today the Phillips are still living the dreams they started out with 30 years ago.

Jerry and Mary met in 1967 at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where they were both enrolled in the School of Music. Jerry was a voice major, and Mary was a keyboardist; piano, organ, and harpsichord.

The couple fell in love and were married in 1969. They purchased a home in Oregon, WI and began fixing it up. It was to be the start of their ongoing love of restoring old homes.

Mary taught at Holy Name Seminary in Madison, while Jerry took a position at Edgewood. The couple served as music directors at the University of Wisconsin Catholic Center where they directed a sixty voice college choir, a brass ensemble, and several string groups. Mary was also teaching privately.

In 1971, the Phillips' son Mark was born. Mary quit teaching at Shenk and founded her own piano studio in their home. From 1971-76, she taught sixty students each week and took master classes at the university.

In 1974, while vacationing in northern Wisconsin, the couple saw a 'For Sale' sign on a classic Queen Anne Victorian in Bayfield. They fell in love with the mansion, and used their life savings and a loan from Mary's mother for the down payment.

Jerry remembers their first weekend together as a family at the new home in Bayfield. "The house was completely furnished. We were running from room to room like it was a treasure hunt. We kept finding surprises... like whole sets of china and silver, beautiful embroidered linens. On and on. The former owners left a bottle of Dom Perignon with a little note saying 'congratulations.' It was the first time Mary and I ever tasted Dom. Of course, Mark was just amazed by the Rittenhouse. He thought it was a castle."

That winter, when oil prices went through the roof, the Phillips discovered how much it costs to heat a castle. "We realized we had to have a little income if we were to stay afloat," says Mary. "We had a dream of combining the all loves of our lives; music, art, architecture, cooking, antiques... and sharing that with people. We wanted to offer a special kind of hospitality based on personal contact. It sounds funny, but we really wanted to test the concept of brotherhood in the business world."

The Phillips made up a business plan, and in the summer of 1975, opened the Old Rittenhouse Inn as a bed and breakfast. Bayfield was still a sleepy harbor town, but word was starting to get out about what would later be dubbed "The Best Little Town in the Midwest." People were starting to come up to see Bayfield for themselves. At the Old Rittenhouse Inn, the rooms were full and guests raved about the breakfasts.

In 1976 the Phillips decided to take a one-year leave of absence from teaching, move north and try to create a gourmet restaurant on the shores of Lake Superior. They had no formal training as chefs, but both had done a lot of cooking privately. "We felt we had the ability, the desire and energy to create a unique restaurant; a synthesis of elegant atmosphere, formal service, gourmet food, art and music," says Jerry. "It was all we could think about." The couple read everything they could in the field, and attended workshops and classes.

The restaurant opened to rave reviews. "We were nervous at first," says Jerry. "But as the night went on people seemed to just love everything, even the verbal menu... that was a happy accident."

It seems that the printed menus were late arriving from the printers. Mary instructed Jerry to go out and present the menu to the guests verbally, as if reciting the night's specials. "I'm naturally quite shy," deadpans Phillips, "but Mary's cooking was phenomenal, and the scents from the kitchen backed up every word I said. The guests really enjoyed it, and it became a big part of the inn for a long time."

Their new restaurant a success, the Phillips soon set out to improve and expand their lodging offerings. In the early eighties they broke ground on a new addition that would double the size of the Rittenhouse. Included in the plans were six new luxury rooms and expanded kitchen, office and storage space. The couple continued to hunt for antiques and objects d'art, which they used to decorate the new guestrooms.

The winter of 1985 brought yet another opportunity to pursue their love of restoration and innkeeping. The Phillips's purchased Le Chateau Boutin, an incredible Victorian mansion with the best lakeview in town. "It was the house we originally wanted in Bayfield," says Mary, "But it wasn't for sale. When the call came it wasn't the best time financially, but we knew we had to have it. We put a lot of work into getting it ready for house guests."

The Chateau is a perfect setting for weddings, small business retreats, and family reunions, as well as the perfect romantic getaway for two. "People love it because it's so private," says Jerry. "At the Rittenhouse, our dining rooms are full most of the day and night. People are checking in and out. There's a lot more going on. At the Chateau, the downstairs area is for the guests. They really enjoy that extra space. Of course, others definitely want to be where it's all happening, at the Rittenhouse."

In the fall of 1995 Mary and Jerry bought the Fountain Cottage, a private home just a block from the Rittenhouse, across a tree-filled ravine. "It's such a darling little house, tucked away in the trees," says Jerry. "It's filled with gorgeous woodwork and some of our favorite antiques. It's definitely the utmost in privacy."

In the past 25+ years, Mary and Jerry have been involved with the Bayfield Heritage Association, the Wisconsin Humanities Committee,the Wisconsin Historical Society and the Big Top Chautauqua. Jerry recently completed a prestigious 3 year term as the President of Select Registry- Distinguished Inns of North America, involving extensive travel over the U.S. and Canada.

January of 2001 brought yet more exciting news. Jerry accepted the position of Executive Director of the Professional Association of Innkeepers International (PAII). The appointment put him at the head of the largest innkeeper service/education association in the world.

Jerry and Mary moved to Santa Barbara, California, where PAII is headquartered. "We missed Bayfield terribly, but the Rittenhouse continued to prosper under the care of my sister Julie," says Jerry.

In June of 2004, the Phillips returned to Bayfield and the Old Rittenhouse Inn, just in time for the arrival of their first grandchild, Kyra June Phillips. "We are so happy to be back at our Inn," says Jerry. "And having this incredible blessing of a happy and healthy baby girl makes it all the more special."

Today, the Phillips are joined by their son, Mark, and his wife, Wendy. "We are so honored to assume active roles at the Inn again," says Mark. "This is where Wendy and I met and fell in love. We have so many incredible memories associated with the Rittenhouse, and we look forward to continuing the tradition of fine hospitality the In has become known for."

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