March 14th, 2012
We have recently changed the room “Confederate Memories” to “Southern Memories” and have completed a thorough make-over. It now has a king size bed, new furniture, new draperies, fresh linens, and painted walls. Earlier we had added a column in the bath to make a more romantic feel. Taken together we believe the room is now on par with any in the Inn and recent occupancy suggests visitors agree. Some new photos are attached to highlight the changes. Come and experience the our new look!
King size bed awaits guests
Light and airy with new furniture and wall color
Seating area
Large whirlpool tub
Tags: Guest Experiences, williams house rooms
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March 14th, 2012
Spring has come early to Amelia Island and it seems everything is at least a month ahead of schedule. As of March 14, Azaleas are nearly bloomed out and all spring flowers are entering the rotation at a fast pace. Many of the flowers we often lose when winters are colder have survived and are growing again. Attached are a few photos of flowers in and around the Williams House.
Williams House front yard
Pick your favorite color
Loaded with blooms
Williams House rose garden area
Tags: williams house gardens
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March 14th, 2012
Each year we look forward to the second weekend in March when the Amelia Island Concours de’Elegance returns to Amelia Island. This year with an unusually warm winter, spring came early and the show enjoyed temps in the mid 70′s. Some of the cars came to downtown Fernandina Beach as part of the annual “road trip” and I captured some photos for our blog that are attached. We were full for the show as are virtually all accomodations of the Island, and had several neat and interesting cars brought by guests (Fisker,Morgan,Porsche). There is always a lot of car talk from both ladies and gents, and most are true enthusiasts for everything auto oriented. The auctions apparently drew some high sales, with the top car going for $4.4 million. The show itself was well attented and for the first time I can recall sold out of tickets. We usually are fully booked by around August or September as the show grows in popularity every year. Come join us next year for this amazing event!
A beauty in Downtown Fernandina
Racing cars abound
A cool looking front end
Corvette well represented
A beautiful red entry
Georgous vehicle
Downtown center st sees action
Something for everyone's taste
Tags: Amelia Island Activities, car shows
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February 21st, 2012
We had an unusually warm fall and winter this year on Amelia Island and during the week after Christmas we took advantage of the warm weather to enjoy part the beach on the ocean side of the Island. Deborah’s daughters and family were here from North Carolina and we slipped off one afternoon for a picnic and fun on the beach. Come and join us at the Williams House and find your spot along our thirteen miles of wide open and uncrowded beaches!
Deborah and her daughters on the beach
Family fun at the beach
Searching for shark's teeth and shells
Birds enjoying the beach
Wide open beaches on Amelia Island
Tags: amelia island attractions, Beaches of Amelia Island
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February 21st, 2012
Wedding family on Williams House porch
John and Keri from Texas gathered at the Williams House just before Christmas for a beautiful December wedding. It’s been a warm fall, but their special day was a bit cool but sunny and beautiful. Keri joined John on the Williams House front porch and recited vows with Byron while guests looked on. The reception followed in our courtyard under the 500 year old live oak. Deborah prepared a variety of tasty items followed by a beautiful wedding cake and a champagne toast.
Bride and groom recite vows with Byron
Wedding cake
Team color cupcakes
Wedding guests enjoy reception
Cinnamon enjoys reception his way
Cake cutting
Champagne toast for the lovely couple
Tags: williams house weddings
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December 28th, 2011
Tis the season to be jolly…and have tea at the Williams House. A group of ladies joined us for a festive start to the Holiday season with a tea prepared by Deborah with finger sandwiches, scones, chicken salad pastry, cheese pastry, and sesame sticks. Dessert included chocolate covered strawberries, cookies of several varieties, and filled pastries! It was a great way to get into the Christmas spirit and enjoy the Williams House.
Williams House set for Tea
Ready for Tea
Enjoying Tea
Tags: Amelia Island Activities, Guest Experiences, tea party
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November 25th, 2011
Williams House guests in PJ's depart for shopping
Black Friday is famous for its shopping opportunities and great bargains. It’s no different in historic Fernandina Beach except……. you have to wear pajamas to get store discounts from local merchants. There is also a contest for best dressed patron weraing pajamas as well as admiring stares from fellow shoppers and on-lookers. We had one couple staying at the Williams House that got into the program and donned their best pj’s and headed for downtown. Other guests felt they brought the wrong set of pj’s for such an excursion and just headed out to see the event in action. It was fun for all and based on packages shopping was also in full gear. We took a stroll and captured some of the more interesting and artsy efforts, many of whom will no doubt be in the running for “best dressed”. It is a fun event and a great way to recover from the overeating on Thanksgiving with a healthy walk.
Photography in pj's
Mr and Mrs santa on scooter
Ready for bargains
And you wear this for sleeping?
Unique sleepwear
Crowds seeking bargains at Twisted Sisters store
Twins or just friends?
Christmas tradition for salvation army
More contenders for best dressed
How does that work on a pillow?
Family pjing together
Live music
A warm day for pj wearers
Fernandina Beach Christmas Tree
Tags: Amelia Island Activities, Guest Experiences, Holidays
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November 25th, 2011
Tea set for Williams House guests
This Thanksgiving holiday we provided an afternoon tea and carriage rides for guests of the Williams House as well as an evening dinner at a local restaurant. Deborah prepared tasty finger foods served with hot tea, iced tea, punch and several nice dessert options. Either before or after tea, guests could ride with Amelia Island Carriages for a tour of several historic homes and learn about the rich history of Amelia Island. We try to change our packages each year and this is the first time we have had carriage rides on Thanksgiving. Served from 2-4 pm the Tea was the perfect bridge between our full and delicious breakfast and the 6 pm timing for the main Thanksgiving meal. As the official taste tester at the Williams House, Byron sampled all the offerings and deemed them satisfyingly tasty! Meanwhile, Cinnamon enjoyed a long afternoon nap on the porch and multiple visits from guests willing to provide love and petting. Seems he has little evidence to judge holidays as being different from his usual day at the Inn.
Fireplace and Christmas decorations add to ambiance of Tea
Deborah describes food choices to guests
Guests prepare to enjoy carriage ride
Cinnamon relaxes
Checking out the carriage
Tags: Amelia Island Activities, Carriage Rides, Guest Experiences, Holidays
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November 21st, 2011
Deborah by Williams House decorations
Saturday was a big day on Amelia Island as all eight B&B’s decorated for Christmas, baked their favorite cookies and opened their doors to over 500 visitors for the Amelia Island Bed and Breakfast Cookie Tour. The tour is held the Saturday before Thanksgiving each year, and this time visitors enjoyed a warm and mostly sunny day. Trolleys, taxi’s and horsedrawn carriages carried visitors between Inns and fresh cookies and refreshments were ready at each stop. At Williams House we began decorating Nov. 1 and finished a day or two before the tour. We had six rooms plus the common area open for touring and everything was decorated to the max. Our cookie was a peanut butter, oatmeal variety with both regular and dark chocolate M&M’s. Thanks to our slight over-cooking, I am still enjoying a few. Carriage horses Boomer and Jazz moved between Hoyt, Williams House and Fairbanks and the trolley moved visitors from Hoyt to Elizabeth Pointe. Taxi’s took them the final leg to Amelia Ocean Front. We had an excellent turn-out that was 70% higher than last year. Apparently lot’s of folks wanted to get into the Christmas spirit or they are really serious cookie fans! A portion of the revenue will be given to Barnabus Center, our charity for 2011, and the added crowd versus last year will help us give them a larger donation. We want to thank Barabus for their volunteers who helped each B&B with stageing their rooms and guiding visitors. Our thanks from the Williams House and all the other B&B’s for public support of this tour and our charity and we look forward to even bigger results next year! We hope you enjoy some pictures from the event and the Williams House.
Jaime,Deborah,Byron&Jami on WH porch before tour began
Williams House front porch
Williams House dining room
Williams House stairwell
Williams House grand hall
Williams House parlor
Williams House hall tree
Top porch tree
Dining room table
Flamingo Christmas tree
Candy pole sign
Williams House decorations
Decorations with a candy theme
Deborah tells visitors our history
Visitors prepare to tour Williams House
Visitors size up Boomer
Jazz also treats guests to ride
Tags: Amelia Island Activities, B&B Cookie Tour, Christmas
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November 12th, 2011
Some numbers are important, others unusual and occasionally they come together to form unique combinations. Such was this special day for Natalie and Michael when they were wed at the Williams House on Amelia Island on the special date of 11/11/11. Joined by 30 family and friends they were married on the Williams House front porch with Byron officiating on a cool but beautiful Friday afternoon. A reception followed in the back courtyard with lot’s of nice goodies prepared by Deborah, the Williams House chef and wedding coordinator. Georgeous seasonal flowers added fall color to the proceedings and a champagne toast to bride and groom was followed by traditional cake cutting. As usual Cinnamon was all around the Williams House entertaining children and seeking out crab cakes or other tasty morsels. Our best wishes to the bride and groom as they begin their new life together!
Natalie and Dad enter the wedding
Byron leads Natalie and Michael through their vows
Fall color in centerpieces
Natalie and Michael in rose garden
Wedding cake
Deborah and Jami prepare the food
Wedding guests arrive at reception
A toast for the bride and groom
Cinnamon entertains
Family portrait
Tags: Amelia Island Activities, williams house weddings
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