About Us
Meet your Innkeeper
Audry Burnett is the proud owner of the Whistling Swan Inn. After raising six children, Audry wanted to fulfill her lifelong dream of owning and operating an inn. In the summer of 2023, that dream finally came to fruition.
Audry is certainly the heart of this warm and inviting inn. She prepares breakfast every morning, taking the utmost care to create each dish that is offered on the breakfast menu, including a favorite of her children’s – fresh sourdough from scratch! Parfaits are made fresh every day with seasonal fruits and homemade yogurt. Each guest is welcomed with sincerity and charm, elevating the experience of staying at the Whistling Swan Inn.
A search for the perfect place for this next endeavor led Audry to the Whistling Swan Inn, a beautifully restored Victorian mansion.
Owning the inn has provided Audry the opportunity to combine her creative talents of cooking, entertaining, home renovations, and decorating, and to do what she loves best: providing a memorable experience for guests!
History
The magnificent Victorian mansion now known as the Whistling Swan Inn began as a testament of love from Judge Daniel L. Best to his wife, Sarah, in 1905. He built this spacious, modern residence in Stanhope, New Jersey, on land he acquired from the Cottrell family, who had previously owned the property. Unfortunately, Judge Best passed away in 1911, and the home was later acquired by his son-in-law, William H. Sedgeman, who, along with his wife Viola, became prominent Stanhope socialites, hosting notable guests.
After Viola became a widow, the Salmon family purchased the grand structure in 1941, making it their home until 1968. Over the next two decades, the house saw several owners and unfortunately fell into disrepair and neglect. It remained unoccupied for several years, losing its original grandeur.
In 1986, Joe and Paula Williams lovingly purchased and undertook a meticulous restoration of the mansion, renaming it the Whistling Swan Inn. Today, under the care of its fourth innkeeper, Audry Burnett, the Inn continues to tenderly preserve this piece of New Jersey history, welcoming guests from around the globe to experience its timeless charm.
