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An American Songline

Journeys in Vintage Music with Cecelia Otto

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General Warren Inne

The General Warren Inne: A Hidden Treasure

May 8, 2013 by Cece

My stay and performance at the General Warren Inne was an amazing stop on my journey on so many levels. I first heard about the General Warren through my friend Jamie over at My Lincoln Highway, and when I contacted the Inne about my project, the proprietor contacted me back immediately and the rest is now history.

The Inne started operating in 1745, and has been either a tavern, hotel or both for most of its 268 year existence. Not only has it been a pivotal place for three wars (including the Paoli Massacre), it also served as an important part on the Conestoga Wagon Trail in the 1800s long before the Lincoln Highway ever existed. The 1913 route went right past the hotel under some railroad tracks until it was rerouted in the 1930’s. Patrick Byrne, the hotel’s proprietor (and part-time historian for the hotel) hopes that it this part of the Lincoln can be reopened as a walking trail. You can see in these pictures where the route used to be on both sides of the railroad underpass (look closely through the trees and brush):

From the time I walked into the door, I was made to feel at home – period. I saw this same customer service with both hotel guests and tavern patrons (see the smile on my face below). It is clear that people at the GWI enjoy what they do, and who wouldn’t want to be a part of that in some way? Each of the eight suites have their own theme, and are decorated beautifully. You can see pictures of all of the suites here, and here’s a couple pictures of my suite I stayed in, the General Wayne Suite:

View from my window. Love the original panes of glass!
My room had a separate TV/Couch/Office area from the bedroom/bathroom area. I loved the flow, and slept really well here.
Here’s me with the Lamb Porterhouse-yum! For those of you who have dietary restrictions, their kitchens will definitely accommodate you. I never got sick once!

The night of my performance in the tavern was unique in that I was able to perform all 20 songs that night, so people who stuck around for the first two sets got to hear everything. It was a great crowd, and it was lovely to meet all of them. Here’s a few shots of the tavern:

Happy to be part of this list!
My set up for the show.
Here’s the fireplace in the Tavern.
View of the Dining Room, just off the Tavern.

Again, whether if you are a local looking for a new spot, or a person not from the area, you should definitely visit this place! Visit their website: http://www.generalwarren.com/

*Note: While I did perform at the tavern, I was not compensated for any part of this review. These opinions are completely my own.

Filed Under: Music, Pennsylvania, Venue Tagged With: General Warren Inne, Hotel, Live Music, Malvern, Pennsylvania, Tavern

Summary of Eastern Pennsylvania (Philadelphia and Surroundings)

May 7, 2013 by Cece

Hi all!

I apologize for the delay in posting. I was in an area of Pennsylvania where internet access was hard to come by for most of the week. Combine that with hearing about the loss of a dear old friend/American Songline supporter and two performances this past weekend, I now have the time to update you on my travels.  Expect a lot of posts over the next few days, and then I’ll go back to a more weekly schedule on here.

I was in the Philadelphia area for about a week, and I loved my time there. It was my first time in the area, and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. The neighborhoods in Philly and the surrounding areas are quirky, fun, and there’s plenty to see and do. I look forward to performing there in the future, and I have to give a big thanks to my hosts Dot and Zosia for making my stay an unforgettable one. I can’t wait to come back!

I’ll write a separate post about The General Warren Inne (where I performed) in my next post, but in the interim here’s some photo highlights from my time in Philadelphia:

Inaccessible part of the Lincoln Highway near Langhorne, PA
The Poquessing Creek Bridge was built in the 1805 and was used in the original 1913 LH route until the bypass was created in the early 1920s. Note the mix of brick and old concrete with the stone bridge.
Side of the Poquessing Creek Bridge.
The Divine Loraine Hotel has a fascinating past. Built between 1892-1894, this building on the Lincoln Highway housed some of Philadelphia’s Wealthy in the early years, and then became the first hotel in the city to be racially integrated. Today it is not in use.
One of my many headstones found in Valley Forge Cemetery. While not directly on the Lincoln Highway, Valley Forge National Park should not be missed. It is truly a beautiful place to see our country’s history.
These stained glass windows tell the story of George Washington’s life at Washington Memorial Chapel (Valley Forge). It is biggest non-religious dedication in this medium.
The tour guide told me his favorite artwork in the Washington Memorial Chapel was the hand made iron gate in front of the chapel. Here’s a close up of that gate.
My view of the Liberty Bell (only a couple blocks off the LH route in downtown Philly). While it is free to get in, you have to wait a long time to see it.
This is the site where an old Lincoln Highway concrete marker was in Malvern, PA. As you can see by the fresh dirt, this change happened recently. The yellow marker notes a gas pipeline is now going through here.
Mural on Fairmont Street in the Arts District in Philadelphia.

Thanks again for all of your support over the last few weeks and I hope things are going well on your path, wherever it may be.

Filed Under: Lincoln Highway, Odds and Ends, Pennsylvania Tagged With: Divine Loraine Hotel, Fairmont Street, General Warren Inne, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Valley Forge

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