Meet the Innkeepers
Mike and Tracey Burnette first had the idea of owning a bed and breakfast while living in Charleston, SC in the 90’s. That idea set on the shelf for a few decades. In the mean time, Tracey spent time in medical sales and teaching while Mike had a career in magazine marketing. In the fall of 2015 Mike randomly came across a bed and breakfast for sale in his hometown of Asheville and the seed planted in the 90’s finally began to grow. Within just a few months they found the 1898 Waverly for sale and couldn’t turn down the opportunity. Hendersonville proved to be the ideal match for them and the perfect town for their next adventure. They love Hendersonville’s small town charm with great restaurants and shopping all within a short walk from the Waverly’s front door. Blue Ridge Hospitality is the key to their success and they want all of their guests feeling as if they are staying with family. They pride themselves on making sure you have an amazing stay in Hendersonville. From the Farm Fresh breakfast, social hour and personalized service you are likely to be one of our many guests who return time and time again.
Our History
1898 Waverly Inn is the oldest surviving inn in Hendersonville. Built at one end of Hendersonville’s wide tree-lined streets when guests walked on boardwalks and oil lamps were at the street corners. We have been making guests feel comfortable since they arrived by train or stagecoach.But we have been quick to embrace modern conveniences! We’ve had electricity available since 1903 and telephone since 1904!
1898
1898 Waverly Inn, our historic Western North Carolina inn, was erected in 1898, during a tourism building boom in Hendersonville, NC.
The Queen Anne style bed and breakfast was built as a two-and-a-half-story guest house with dormer windows on the third floor and a wraparound porch at street level. We wonder if the dormered third floor, where the owner lived, trapped heat in the summer time.
1910
After a fire around 1910 damaged the third floor, the decision was made to rebuild with a full third floor (no dormers) and a full convection attic was added under a hip roof with hand pressed metal shingles.Originally known as the Anderson Boarding House, the name was changed to The Waverly before 1915. A second floor porch was added to the inn after the early 1900s fire.
1940
Other additions were added in 1940 and 1960. Lots of renovations have happened over the years. Some of the trends that have gone by the wayside are wall stencils, wallpapered ceilings, shag carpeting, louvered doors for ventilation at the bedrooms, fuses (instead of circuit breakers), double beds, shared bathrooms and metal showers. A lot of it will not be missed.
1988
The main entrance is the original double paneled and glazed doors and is different from any other building entrance in Hendersonville. At the back of the lobby is an Eastlake-style staircase. This style of staircase is rare in the south and it is one of the reasons that we were able to get a National Historic Register designation in 1988.
2010
In 2010 the name was changed just slightly to 1898 Waverly Inn to reflect the historic significance of the inn.
Today
Most extraordinary, there have been only nine owners during the more than one hundred and twenty years of existence of this building. It has definitely been loved and cared for over the years and we feel the pressure to be good stewards for the future of this landmark property. The flavor and elegance of the late nineteenth century can still be felt in this majestic building. The high ceilings and beautiful woodwork along with the long wide porches whisper for you to “relax and experience southern hospitality as it was meant to be”.