The Monday Club returns to the Hann Homestead Inn after six decades

This is the second tour of the historic Andover NY bed and breakfast by the club

By Andrew Harris

Over two dozen “Monday Clubbers,” were treated to a visit to one of Allegany County’s cultural gems, the Hann Homestead Inn on Route 417 in Andover.

The inn sits near the first settlement in Allegany County by pioneer Nathaniel Dike and the main house, pictured above was built in 1840. In 2014 The Rechenberg Family who are direct descendents of the orignial owners purchased the property. A major renovation and restoration effort since 2014 has brought the stately home back to former glory. The Rechenberg’s are celebrating the 10 years of ownership on Sunday May 26 with “Longshot” playing live music from 2-6pm. The event is open to the public, please bring a dish to pass!! More information on that celebration is below:

Don’t miss this 10 year Anniversary Party with the Rechenberg’s!!

This wasn’t the first trip to the “Hann” for the Monday Club. According to longtime member Doris MacFarquhar, the group toured the homestead in 1962 or 1963. At that time the home was still without running indoor plumbing or electric. Owner and innkeeper Barbara Strouse Rechenberg offers this Hann Homestead history:

” Simeon and Rachel Adams Hann / Hand were married in 1839 and built the house on 600 acres, currently there are 20 acres. Simeon and Rachel Raised 10 children in the Homestead and there is a cemetery on the property with Simeon and Rachel in it buried as Hand.

We believe the name difference was a clerical error that was not easy in the 1800’s to correct Simeon and Rachel’s children continued to go by Hann except their son Jacob changed his name to Hand.

Homestead facts: the house was in the Hann/Hand family for 120 years -Simeon made his living with a saw mill in Dyke creek and chose timber from his very own land to build this house -The house was sold to Herald Ford in 1963 and had never been modernized, no electric or plumbing ever -The house was then sold to Henry Argentari and sat empty for over 40 years . When Henry died his wife sold the homestead in the year 2000 to David Herr and he loving restored the property and lived there with his wife and 7 children. -We bought the house in March of 2014 from David Herr and opened it as a bed and breakfast. We are in our 10th year”

The Monday Club, steeped in history itself, enjoyed the treasure trove of furnishings and a mix of original features and restorations. From the iconic front porch to the artifacts found throughout the house, this visit by the Monday Club was a fascinating journey through time.

The tour also introduced the ladies to the homesteads best kept secret, The Bluebird House next door, pictured above. The Hann Homestead has another home on the property that has been restored as well and is available for family-style reservations. Ironically, the Bluebird has an opening for Memorial Day Weekend 2024!! This could be a perfect plan for a unique family holiday weekend!

The Bluebird Tourist Home is available Memorial Day Weekend! Bring your ATV’s, relax or fish the Dyke creek on our property! 5 bedrooms 2 baths, great for groups up to 10 guests and we have direct access to Tall Pines ATV park. Book direct and save fees www.hannhomesteadinn.com or call #607-478-8821

Hannhomesteadinn.com