Barnard House

Cathy and Paul have created a restful, healing space full of charm and history. The love and effort that they have put in to create this cozy spot is evident in every inch of the house. After a restful sleep in a cozy comfy bed, they provided a delicious breakfast that incorporated ingredients from the area and was served with vintage tableware that took me back to meals at my Nana's. The attention to detail and the welcoming nature of both the space and Cathy and Paul truly create a much needed oasis after hours of travel. I only hope the next owners show the same level of love and care that they have.

A magical feeling as the sunlight burnt through the mist from the river and I shared breakfast conversation with Cathy and Paul who's lives are rich with stories that touch on so many things. I love learning about America, so thier stories were a wonderful gift! The house is alive with creaks and colour. I walked into town for an evening meal in the local Brew Haus, then slept soundly. I left NYC at 10am, stopped for lunch and to stretch my legs, I arrived at Barnard House before the sunset at 4:30pm a good day driving west.

Thanks to Paul & Cathy for saving the day for us and our plan to take our bikes on a 100-mile ride in just one day along the Allegheny River Trail, the Sandy Creek Trail and the Samuel Justus Trail. That covers from Emlenton to Van to Fisherman's Cove to Franklin and on to Oil City and back. We needed to do it in late June to take advantage of the 15 hours of daylight. So, our innkeepers prepared a heat-n-eat breakfast we could grab and go at daybreak. We knew we'd be too tired to drive back home that same day so we stayed a second night and got the real house breakfast that we could otherwise only get at the best restaurants back in our own big-city area.

We were lucky to get the Minnie Barnard room with the private bath and the private second floor porch to begin to relax and recover from the long day. Our hosts were very accommodating to our special needs and helpful for planning our big day. So we had the same great experience as we had previously on our round trip from Pittsburgh to Erie by bike. The rooms are comfortable and homey as you can only get in an authentic old house. And did I mention that the food is fantastic and healthy?

We had an excellent time at the Barnard House! The hosts, Paul & Kathy, were awesome and shared so much knowledge with us during our stay. The breakfasts each morning were SO tasty- fresh and healthy. The entire house was full of character and our room was no exception. I absolutely adored the style— I might need to put Kathy in charge of my future interior decorations at home! We enjoyed the beautiful views from the porch, we lucked out to be visiting during peak season of fall. The colors were incredible. 11/10 recommend!! You will not be disappointed. Oh, and the amazing macaroons in the room at check in- how could I almost forget to include that! We hope to be back in the future!!

We enjoyed a wonderful stay at the Barnard House which is situated on the banks of the Allegheny River. The Barnard House has been meticulously restored while leaving a remarkable feeling of the past history of the house. The sitting room is a museum to the original family. Our hosts, Cathy and Paul, were delightful. They are very knowledgeable and eager to share the history of the house, family and area. Breakfast was one of the best meals we’ve ever been served consisting of locally sourced organic ingredients. The ‘house blend’ locally roasted coffee was divine. Cathy and Paul are delightful hosts making breakfast a special occasion.

The Barnard House is directly along the route of the Erie to Pittsburgh Trail. The trail is not developed through the town. The upper 27.5 mile section of the Allegheny River Trail portion ends on the north side of town. There is a 4.5 mile gap to Foxburg where the trail continues another 2.5 miles. There are many opportunities for outdoor recreation in the surrounding area. We would love to return with our bikes for a longer visit!