Posts Tagged ‘Guest Experiences’

Williams House Weddings on Amelia Island

Sunday, May 8th, 2011

Damon and Janine on Williams House porch

 

We have had two weddings recently at the Williams House with great weather for both.  First were Damon and Janine who were married on the front porch, followed by Jeffrey andTammy who were married in the back courtyard.  Both were small and intimate with Byron performing the ceremony and Deborah as official photographer and wedding coordinator.  Spring is a great time to get married on Amelia Island with flowers of many varieties blooming and generally great temperatures and sunny skies ( it is Florida after all).  We enjoyed both couples and feel priveleged to participate in their special day.  We hope for much happiness and many years of enjoyment as they start life together.

family portrait

 

Bride and groom on Williams House stair

 

Posing by stained glass windows

 

Byron officiates for Jeffrey and Tammy

 

Bride and groom by Koi pond

 

Wedding couple under 500 yr old live oak

 

Another view

Amelia Island Sunsets

Tuesday, April 12th, 2011

Fernandina Beach Marina

 

We are fortunate on Amelia Island to have both sunrise and sunset opportunities to enjoy nature’s beauty.  A recent walk down Ash street to the harbor led to the attached photos of a nice sunset at the Marina.  Whether its boats, buildings or people framing them with a setting sun highlights the golden tones of an evening.  We hope you enjoy these and come and enjoy them personally at the Williams House.

Ships at sunset

 

Sun highlights piers and boats

 

It could be a painting

Old Town Fernandina Bicentennial Celebration

Friday, April 8th, 2011

Pippi Longstocking or Captain's House in Old Town

When Europeans first arrived in Florida and Amelia Island, the Timucua Indians inhabitated the area known as Old Town.  Occupying 40 acres between the Amelia River, Egans Creek and Bosque Bello cemetery this was the sight of early Spanish missions.  In 1597 Father Micahel Aunon and his group were massacred after denouncing polygamy and angering local native inhabitants.  Military outposts were later established.  In 1808 the spansih controlled Amelia Island and a town began on the bluff looking over the Amelia River and near the entrance of Egan’s Creek.  The US Embargo act prohibiting trade with England and France and the abolition of slavery was likely responsible for growth as Fernandina became a smuggler’s paradise with easy access to Georgia just across the Amelia River.  In 1811, streets were set in place by Surveyor General Don Jorge Clarke within the 1573 Spanish Law of the Indies.  Clarke placed a public plaza on the edge of the river known as Plaza de la Constitution.  Although none of the original Old Town structures survived, the plaza, now called Plaza San Carlos still exists as a Florida State Park.

Last weekend, Old Town or the original Fernandina celebrated its bi-centennial with open houses, music, food, pirates and historic presentations.  Deborah and I were able to visit and tour old town and it was interesting to see where it all started for Amelia Island and Fernandina.  The U.S. purchased Florida from the Spanish in 1819, it became an official territory in 1821 and achieved statehood in 1845.  The town of Fernandina was “moved” to the other side of the marsh in 1853  and renamed Fernandina Beach.  This was accomplished at the urging of David Yulee to ease building of the railroad from Fernandina to Cedar Key on the gulf coast creating the first cross Florida access for trade.  Old Town didn’t completely disapear as some of the sea captains found it to be a convenient location but the center of commerce clearly shifted to the new location.  Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and improved in 1998 with enhanced streets Old Town now has numerous residents who enjoy the tranquility, beauty and history it offers.  In addition, archaelogical digs have confirmed it has been occupied by humans for thousands of years.

Shared below are the sights and history of Old Town as unveiled by last weekends celebration.

Ladies Street, home of bordellos in the settlement

Captain Sharpe House

Food and fun at celebration

Historic Plaza San Carlos

Pirates remind us of Fernandina History

The Daniel Kelly Cottage

Pirate club group photo

Pirates sell bounty near their ship

Music with a river view

Amelia River from bluff of Old Town

Archaeological digging

The Boat House

Dickie Anderson, author greets visitors in period costume

Egan's creek marina

Amelia Island Concours D’Elegance – 2011

Saturday, March 12th, 2011

Beautiful Dusenberg

 

The 2011 Concours D’Elegance or parade of elegance kicked off yesterday with a group of cars coming downtown to show a portion of what will be presented at the Amelia Island golf course on Sunday.  There were plenty of options from Allard to Dusenberg, Ferrari to vintage race cars with something for every taste.  Many proud drivers and owners were nearby to explain details of the restorations and their own car’s history.  There was a good crowd on a beautiful but slightly cool day in downtown Fernandina Beach.  The show continues today with the auction segment and tomorrow these cars and many more are displayed on the golf course for enthusiastic auto buffs and anyone who appreciates the finest in automotive design and restoration.  We and most of the island’s lodging have been booked out for months and restaurants are mostly fully booked in advance.  A great time to visit if you enjoy cars and the early start of Spring on Amelia Island.

Colorful restoration

 

Beautiful engines

 

Sporty and colorful

 

Elegance from past motoring

 

Ready to race

 

Ready for a road trip

 

Orange and black beauty

Amelia Island Garden Show – Year 2

Monday, March 7th, 2011

Colorful flowers at garden show

Last weekend was the second annual flower and garden show on Amelia Island.  We were blessed with beautiful weather near 80 degrees and sunny skies.  Vendors include regular Farmer’s market vendors (held every Saturday morning) and additional and unique items.  Crowds were good and in addition to the booths there was live music, food, whirlygigs, vegetables and fruit, pasta and italian gourmet specialties.  Operating both Saturday and Sunday, it was a great time for Williams House guests to see a garden show and enjoy the local scenery.  Deborah picked up some fill in plants for some of the winter damage and some new twists.  We find garden beds a never ending story with some things doing well in Florida and others that struggle.  There were some awesome flowers for just about anyone’s taste and plenty of variety.  Attached below are a few colorful shots of the garden show activity and offerings.

Crowds seize the moment

Bonsai

Orchids

Bromeliads

Italian sauces

Yard art

More yard art

Deborah checks out metal works

Azaleas

Cacti

 

Entertainment

Great Day for Williams House Carriage Ride

Tuesday, February 22nd, 2011

Dan and Liz meet Boomer

 

We always enjoy returning guests and recently Dan and Liz came back for a return visit.  After catching up with Byron and Deborah over wine hour, they decided to enjoy a historical carriage tour through downtown Fernandina, and met the great white horse Boomer.  They enjoyed the ride and Boomer and learned a lot of history about this quaint town and island.  They continue to explore and experience our great local restaurants mixing new ones with those they already know.  It was great to see them again and we look forward to another visit.

Liz and Dan ready to ride

Carriage Ride Leads to Engagement at Williams House

Tuesday, February 15th, 2011

Happy couple meets Boomer

We always enjoy guests taking the historic carriage ride, but sometimes these rides are truly special.  Such was the case yesterday for Craig and Jessica when he surprised her both with the carriage ride and by proposing during the ride. Craig had planned the entire trip, including choosing the Williams House, restaurants, and activities and especially the important carriage ride.  Nicole, Boomer’s driver took them down to the water front  for the sunset and that is where Craig proposed.  Dinner followed at Joe’s Second Street Bistro and they arrived back at the Williams House to a nice bottle of chilled wine in their room.  We have to admit staying at the Williams House is a romantic experience and it’s a great place to do something really special for the one you love.  We wish Craig and Jessica all the best and are happy to have been a part of their special time.

Readyfor a ride and a surprise

Happy couple in front of Williams House

Another pose by the camillia tree

A beautiful engagement ring

Williams House Carriage Rides Resume with Warmer Temps

Sunday, February 13th, 2011

Boomer meets guests & hunts snacks

 

One of the favorite activities for guests at the Williams House is horsedrawn carriage rides thru the historic downtown area.  The town is so rich in history and with Victorian homes and buildings ready to tell their story, 50 minutes passes before you know it!  Of course every ride begins with Boomer meeting and greeting guests, but really just anxiously awaiting treats from Byron and Deborah.  He also has a few stops along the way where food is anticipated and expected.  Cindy and her daughter Nicole do a great job of filling in the Island’s history and retelling the secrets of its homes and  early times.  As usually these rides taper off during January due to both cold weather and short days.  But Valentine’s weekend restarts the season as it did this year with a desire for the romantic rides and somewhat warmer temps.  We had three rides this weekend and the evidence is visible below.  Come join us and enjoy an informative and fun historic carriage ride.

Waiting for Boomer power and a ride

 

Guests enjoy the size and beauty of Boomer

 

Boomer being fed and entertaining

 

Boomer creates excitement

Tick, Tock, Guest Fixes Williams House Clock!

Friday, February 11th, 2011

Grandmother clock in WH dining room

We never know whom we will meet as guests come and go at the Williams House and that is part of the fun and excitement of owning a bed and breakfast.  Recently, one of our grooms told me he was was a Horologist and that led into a discussion of our grandmother clock made by my father.  I told him it wasn’t working quite right and over the course of the next two days, it was oiled, fixed, reset and now is working perfectly.   His father has been in the clock business since 1944 and David is now active with two shops in the Tampa area.  The company name is Boyd Clocks and they sell, repair and restore clocks of all kinds.  It was very kind of him to help us get our clock going on his honeymoon, but you can tell he has a love for all things clock and enjoys making them work well.  We now here the gentle chimes throughout the day and have a way of telling time in the common areas.  If you are in need of clock repairs or advice, you can reach David at www.boydclocks.com, or boydclocks@gmail.com, or 813-281-2299.

Our thanks again to David for getting our clock back up and running!

Clock face

Another view

Amelia Island Events for Every Interest

Thursday, February 10th, 2011

Kate Bailey's tree on Ash St.

We have a variety of events thru the seasons on Amelia Island that can appeal to almost everyone’s favorite activity.  We have listed them below for those considering or planning a visit to Amelia Island.  Come and join us at the Amelia Island Williams House  for these events or just a relaxing getaway.  This list is primarily festivals but I’ve also added a few other items that may be of interest!

Amelia Island/Fernandina Beach Schedule of Events

Amelia Island Book Festival, Feb. 18-19 (www.ameliaislandbookfestival.com)

Amelia Island Film Festival, Feb. 24-27 (www.ameliaislandfilmfestival.com)

Concours D’Elegance, Mar. 11-13                           (www.ameliaconcours.org)

Old Town Bicentennial, April 2                 (www.oldtownfernandina.org

Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival, April 29 – May 1 (www.shrimpfestival.com)

Wild Amelia Nature Festival, May 20-22              (www.wildamelia.com)

Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival, May 20 – June 17 (www.aicmf.com)

Stars and Stripes Freedom Festival, July 4       (www.shinybadges.com)

Amelia Island Blues Festival, Sept. 16-17  (www.ameliaislandbluesfest.com)

Amelia Island Jazz Festival, Oct. 2-9                                                        (www.ameliaislandjazzfestival.com)

Amelia Island Autumn Fine Arts Festival, Oct. 8-9  (www.islandart.org)

Historic B&B Cookie Tour, Nov. 19              (www.ameliaislandinns.com)

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