Activities

Paddle & Pedal

Blackwater Paddle & Pedal Adventures

Dorchester County has been referred to as the everglades of Maryland, surrounded by 1,700 miles of unspoiled shoreline. Hear the fish jump, the birds sing and the sounds of nature that take you from the rush of a fast paced life to the relaxing retreat you deserve.

Places

Town of Vienna, Maryland

“A historic cross roads village dating from early colonial times, the town has managed to preserve much of its charm and quiet lifestyle for over three centuries…”

The Nanticoke River Watershed

“When Captain John Smith explored the rivers of the Chesapeake Bay in 1608, he discovered the gentle, meandering Nanticoke River…named the river for the Native Americans who lived nearby. The 725,000-acre Nanticoke watershed supports a wide variety of plant and animal species, including more rare plants than any other landscape on the Delmarva Peninsula…” Visit The Nature Conservatory’s site…

Events

Shad Festival

The Annual Nanticoke River Shad Festival, usually held during the last week of April, will be celebrating its 14th Year in 2009! You can see and sample delicious planked shad prepared using the traditional method. Events in the past have included Nanticoke River boat rides, children’s activities & games, raffle, fish toss competition, fish printing, educational exhibits, art & craft exhibits, historical artifacts and a touch tank!

Traditional cooking of Shad, shad planking, starts early. The Chicon Ruritan Club starts the fires at about four a.m. to get the coals needed to bake/smoke the Shad. The fish is ready about ten. You have to get there early if you want to get some, because it sells out fast. You can learn more about shad planking visit:

• Chicone Ruritan Club
• Fish & Wildlife Journal
• Nanticoke Watershed Alliance

July 4th

Every year, there is a traditional small town celebration of the 4th, beginning with a parade. All the town’s fire and rescue vehicles lead the parade, carrying many of the town’s children and parents. These are followed by children and adults on bicycles, lawn mowers, old and new autos, horses and go-carts. This leaves very few town’s people left to watch the parade. The procession ends at the Community Center where there are free hot dogs, refreshments and prizes. (Virtually everyone gets a prize for something or nothing.)

‘18th Annual Native American Festival’

Each year there is an annual festival held by the Nause-Waiwash Band of Indians. The Nause-Waiwash Band (pronounced ‘nah-soo WAY-wash’) is comprised of members from over 250 original descendants of Nanticoke Indian villages.

The annual festival began in 1992 and was moved to Vienna, Maryland in 2005 to bring the celebration closer to their original village sites. The Nause-Waiwash Band of Indians organized the Festival ‘for three reasons: to educate the public and hold onto their culture, raise the self-esteem of their people and raise money for their tribal office and longhouse.’

Mark your calendar for September 18th and 19th, 2010! Nause-Waiwash Band of Indians will hold their 18th Annual Native American Festival at the Ballpark in Vienna, Dorchester County, Maryland. The festival will feature traditional dancers, singers, and drumming, as well as, crafts and artist demonstrations, vendors, and food.

In 2009, the 17th Annual Native American Festival ‘Celebration of the Three Eastern Clans - Healing of All Nations‘ was held just around the corner from Tavern House Bed & Breakfast.

For detailed event information visit Nause-Waiwash Bank of Indians web site. Additional references are available through the American Indian Society of Washington, D.C. with information and events for over 50 different tribal groups throughout North America, as well as, the eastern shore. Learn more about other native Maryland Indians at native.BrokenClaw.net. For events of Native Americans try this personal web site by Broken Claw.

Christmas in Vienna

2009 was the 30th Annual Luminaria Night Celebration sponsored by the Vienna Heritage Foundation. The celebration was cancel due to unusual weather. This year over 15,000 luminaria (Vienna places small white paper bags filled with sand and light a candle) will be placed along Vienna’s sidewalks throughout the town. Maps will be provided for those who walk the candlelit streets.

Meanwhile, children can meet with Saint Nick his helpers at the Ferry Toll Collector’s House. Vienna trams will ferry passengers between points of interest which will include the historical Customs House and the Ferry Toll Collector’s House, and community churches which are open for free tours.

The Vienna Heritage Museum will serve as the Official Luminaria Night Headquarters, where information, maps, and tickets for the private home tours may be purchased. The museum will also have displays, demonstrations, refreshments and be the main stop for the tram rides.

We’ve enjoyed opening our house to share with our neighbors and the public.

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Please use this Calendar as a guideline.

We try to list all Events as we are notified of their dates. Room Availability at The Tavern House Bed & Breakfast are not listed unless there are no rooms available.

Please Contact Us for Accurate Availability…

For over 20 years The Tavern House Bed & Breakfast has been providing high quality guest services to travelers across the world. Here are just a few comments left in our Bed & Breakfast Guest book at The Tavern House B&B.

• “…relaxing & beautiful…”
  J.P., Silver Spring, MD
• “Merci pour votie chaleureux accuil!”
  M.L., Quebec
• “Peaceful, cozy and friendly with thought to every detail!”
  K.D., Pitman, NJ
• “…beautiful, warm & cozy”
  S.B., German Town, MD
• “…so quiet & very wonderful…”
  D.A., Dallas, TX
• “Wonderful home, wonderful conversation”
  G.B., Chadds Ford, PA
• “13 years and counting…”
  S.G., Kensington, MD
• “Thank you for allowing us to rediscover the magic and charm of B&Bing”
  M.G., Orland, CA

If you have visited our Bed & Breakfast, in the past or recently, please Contact Us with your Comments!

An Historic Experience

Then — Vienna, Maryland, was a thriving port on Maryland’s Eastern Shore and The Tavern House provided comfort and shelter for the adventurous traveler.

Now — Vienna, Maryland, is a quiet little town in Dorchester County where one can escape the 21st century. The Tavern House is still there, providing travelers Bed and Breakfast lodging and Eastern Shore hospitality.

Careful restoration by Elise and Harvey Altergott brought back the simple elegance of this colonial home built in the 1700s. The stark white “lime, sand and hair” plaster accents the original, authenticated colors and detailed carvings of the woodwork, as it did when The Tavern House first offered shelter for colonial travelers.

The Altergotts first opened their doors to guests in 1985. For over twenty years, the Altergott’s have provided a Bed & Breakfast “off the beaten track” for those who can savor looking out over the Nanticoke River and marshes, watching an osprey in flight, or taking a leisurely walk along the river. Just a few steps out the front door is a walkway that leads along the shore, past the floating docks and piers, to the old Customs House.

Your day at The Tavern House begins with a special full breakfast and ends with complimentary refreshments. There are public tennis courts, a boat ramp and floating dock within the block, miles of flat roads for bicycling, and countless streams and waters for fishing and kayaking.

The area is a Mecca for birdwatchers. There is no need to get into a car to see ospreys, and possibly, eagles in flight. And you can spend the whole day relaxing, reading a book or maybe writing to a friend while enjoying a cup of coffee or tea.

All in all, The Tavern House Bed and Breakfast is an excellent base for exploring Maryland’s Eastern Shore, interesting small towns, antique shops, the bay, and the marshes of Dorchester County and Blackwater Wildlife Refuge.

If you decide you want to escape the 21st Century in Vienna, Maryland give us a call or Email us.
(410) 376-3347

The Tavern House B & B on the Eastern Shore of Maryland
Click image for larger view…

Directions to the Tavern House Bed & Breakfast

Whether you’re coming from the North, East or West you should have any easy and scenic adventure to our Bed and Breakfast. Here are directions for easy traveling. There are also links below to Yahoo’s Map where you can add your starting address and obtain detailed directions, alternative routes and estimated times for each route. These directions are available in pdf format (if you need Adobe Reader click here, its free!)
If you have any questions, please Contact Us for assistance.

From the West - From Annapolis or Cambridge Area

1. Take 2nd Exit for Vienna off Route 50 (Rt 331) and enter Vienna town limits
2. At the 2nd Stop sign, take a left onto Race Street & go to Nanticoke River
3. Turn right on Water Street
4. 6th House on Right, in the middle of the block, is 111 Water Street. It is a white building with a sign with our Blackbird

From the East - From Ocean City or Salisbury Area

1. Take the 1st Exit off Route 50 AFTER crossing the Nanticoke River Bridge (about 15 miles from Salisbury) and follow road into the Town of Vienna
2. At the 2nd Stop sign, take a left onto Race Street & go to Nanticoke River
3. Turn right on Water Street
4. 6th House on Right, in the middle of the block, is 111 Water Street. It is a white building with a sign with our Blackbird.

From The North - From the Delaware Bay Bridge Area

Here you can choose from two options depending on your desired arrival time and planned activities.

1. Route 301 towards the Chesapeake Bay Bridge
2. Take Route 13 South - pass Dover & head towards Salisbury

1st Option - From the Delaware Bay Bridge Area

1. Take Route 301 heading towards the Chesapeake Bay Bridge
2. Take Exit for Route 213
3. At Intersect of Route 50 Go South through Easton and Cambridge.
4. Complete directions above for ‘(1) From the West - From Cambridge, Maryland Via Route 50′

2nd Option - Take Route 13 South - pass Dover & head towards Salisbury

a. A Bit Longer but there are Shops & Malls on this route

1. Continue to Intersect Route 50 - turn right (West) onto Rt. 50.
2. Complete directions above for ‘(2) From the East - From Salisbury, Maryland Via Route 50′

b. Shorter Scenic Path - Best Path to Escape 21st Century ASAP

1. At Delmar (on border between Delaware & Maryland), turn right (West) onto Rt. 54 towards Mardela Spring
2. About 10 miles from Rt. 50, you will have to be alert - it looks like Rt. 54 curves about 90 degrees to the right– it does not, that’s Route 24. Route 54 goes straight ahead.
3. Follow Rt. 54 until it intersects Rt. 50 - turn right (West) onto Rt. 50.
4. Complete directions above for ‘(2) From the East - From Salisbury, Maryland Via Rt 50

Download All Directions in pdf format

All of the above directions are available in pdf format (if you need Adobe Reader click here, its free!). If you have any quesitons, please Contact Us for assistance.

View of The Tavern House Bed & Breakfast
Virginia, Maryland & DelawareClick image for larger view…

View of The Tavern House in Vienna, Maryland
Click image for larger view…

For Reservations and/or Information Call or E-mail Us

Elise & Harvey Altergott
The Tavern House Bed & Breakfast
(410) 376-3347
111 Water St, Vienna, MD 21869

The Tavern House Bed & Breakfast Rooms

Our rooms are quiet, intimate and very comfortable. Each has a unique personality and atmosphere with a number of features, such as a fireplace, high sitting four-poster beds and historically restored to their original paint colors of the 1700s.

If you seek peace and tranquility, you have found the Bed and Breakfast which best provides these qualities, accommodations and atmosphere in Vienna, Maryland.

If you desire television, telephone or internet access, these are available upon request. These items are intentionally not routinely provided in the rooms so as to provide you an escape from technology and avoidance from the rush and stress of modern civilization!

The River Room

The River Room

The River Room has a view of the Nanticoke River and features a four-poster double bed with a fireplace typical of the 1700s.

This quiet room is one of our Guests favorite with the morning sun rising to start the day and a view of nature’s display along the Nanticoke River.

Hanna’s Room

Hanna’s Room

This room also features a fireplace and a double bed with a step stool for easier access to this high sitting bed.

Its the favorite room of Bed and Breakfast owner, Elise Altergott, because the sun doesn’t rise so early through the south facing windows.

For those who seek to sleep longer than they usually do in the mornings, this may be the room for you.

The Rum Room

The Rum Room’s Four Poster

Why ‘The Rum Room’? The Tavern House was originally an Inn with lodging for travelers. This room features original floor boards, as do all the rooms in this circa 1700s dwelling, have stains from barrels which we think were used to store rum!

This room has windows with a northern exposure and a pleasant view of the Nanticoke River.

Featuring a four-poster double bed, this room has the original bright blue color and plaster walls.

The Garden Room

Bright, cheerful and very warm. The walls are finished in a bright, flowered wall paper and furnished with two brass-finished twin beds.

Though a bit of an effort to get into these high sitting beds, you will be wrapped in comfort in this cheerful room.

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Reservations & Information

Please email us or Contact Us regarding reservations, availability and any questions you may have.

Call Elise & Harvey Altergott
The Tavern House Bed & Breakfast
(410) 376-3347
111 Water St, Vienna, MD 21869

About Us

Elise and I, Harvey Altergott, are retired after working in the Washington, DC area for a number of years. Prior to that, I was in the Navy and we moved many times as I was assigned to different ships and duty stations.

We came upon The Tavern House by chance. We didn’t need a house in Vienna, Maryland, that was an hour and a half from our work. But when we stumbled upon it, we knew it needed us. Boards were falling off the outside, the roof was leaking, wall paper was peeling, plaster was falling and termite damage was obvious. But we, especially Elise, loved the house. So we bought it.

The house had a long history, having been built in the early 1700’s. It was a Tavern in colonial days. The deeds continue to refer to it as ‘The Tavern House’. In those days, a tavern would provide lodging for travelers, serve meals and drink, and often be a center for community activity. Later when the term ‘tavern’ was not as socially acceptable, the house was referred to as a ‘hotel’. Over time, it has been a home, sometimes a private residence of the owner. We were the first to refer to The Tavern House as a Bed & Breakfast.

We knew when we bought it, that the house needed much work. For five years we spent our weekends, holidays, and many nights commuting while we worked to stabilize and restore the house. We jacked the house up and replaced the huge wood sills; we put in new wiring, new plumbing, replaced large areas of the plaster, re-pointed the chimneys - the list goes on and on. Most of this we did ourselves - we were much younger then.

Our goal was to restore the house to what it would have looked like in the 1700s, as authentic as we could. Intentionally, we did not sand the old floors, did not replace the windows, nor did we replace wood that was scarred or damaged but serviceable. We did not want a house that looked new. We wanted a house that showed it’s pride in being old and having been lived in for over two hundred years. Samples of the woodwork were sent off to Pennsylvania for paint analysis so that interior paints would be the original colors applied to the house in the past.

A blacksmith in Massachusetts duplicated door latches by matching the impressions made in the wood by the original hardware. The old guillotine windows were retained; held open by small wood stops that pivot on the window casing. Whole sections of plaster were repaired or replaced with the old formula of lime, sand and hair. Replacing the original plaster was a problem, finding a person experienced with the old techniques and finding a source for the hair. After much searching, we found the right man and a source of hair in a Virginia upholstery supply firm.

Our Bed & Breakfast

When completion of the restoration came closer, we realized that we had a five bedroom house. About then I had the opportunity to retire. Now what would two retired people do with a five bedroom house? Operate a bed and breakfast? It seemed like a good idea so we opened the doors of ‘The Tavern House’, our home, to guests in 1985.

Now we know it was a good idea. We have enjoyed the house, the peace and quiet of a small town, and we have stayed in contact with the outside world through our bed and breakfast guests.

We have had guests from all over the world stay at The Tavern House Bed & Breakfast — Canada, England, Germany, Russia, Sri Lanka and South Africa, to name just a few. The conversation has been great! Everyone brings interesting stories. And we have made many friends, many coming back year after year.

View from the Entry of The Tavern House B & B

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