You’re driving down a 2,000-foot tree-lined gravel driveway, and suddenly, the 21st century just... vanishes. That’s the vibe at the Morgan Samuels Bed and Breakfast. Honestly, if you haven’t heard of it or you’re confused about whether it’s still a B&B or a wedding venue, you aren't alone. People get it mixed up all the time.
It’s an 1810 English-style stone mansion sitting on 46 acres of Finger Lakes dirt.
But here’s the thing. It isn’t just some old house with dusty lace doilies and a "no shoes" policy. This place has been a private farm, a getaway for a famous actor, a home for a New York governor hopeful, and eventually, one of the most prestigious inns in the region.
Is it still a Bed and Breakfast?
Basically, yes and no.
If you’re looking to book a single night on a Tuesday just to sleep and leave, things have changed. In 2020, the property was taken over by Liza Barnum—a master gardener who basically saved the grounds from being swallowed by weeds and goldenrod.
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She shifted the focus. Now, it’s mostly known as the Morgan Samuels Inn & Venue.
Instead of booking one room, most people now rent the entire mansion. You get the whole 1810 masterpiece for a weekend. It’s become a massive hit for weddings because you aren't just getting a ballroom; you're getting a lifestyle for 48 hours. You’ve got 11 fireplaces, museum-quality furniture, and 45 acres where nobody is going to tell you to turn the music down at 9:00 PM.
The History Most People Miss
The house was built by Robert Davison in the early 1800s. He used fieldstone, which is why the walls are so thick you can’t get a cell signal in some corners (kinda nice, actually).
But the "Morgan" in the name? That’s James Judson Morgan. He was a playwright and actor who bought the place in the 1940s. He’s the one who turned it into a "Colonial Revival" beauty. Later, Howard Samuels lived there. He was an industrialist and a big deal in the Johnson administration.
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The house has seen some serious power lunches.
The Gardens: Liza's Obsession
If you visit today, the first thing you’ll notice isn’t the stone—it’s the flowers. Liza Barnum spent her first year there just figuring out what was buried under the overgrowth. She actually used an old essay from 1931 written by a woman named Verna Sutherland (whose grandfather owned "The Stone House") to figure out where the original gardens were.
Now, there are over 250 noble trees.
There are trickling waterfalls.
There are "rockery" gardens that look like something out of a BBC period drama.
The rooms themselves are still named after the people who lived there or the vibes they give off. You’ve got the Samuels Room, the Victorian Suite, and the Cathedral Room. They all have their own bathrooms and fireplaces.
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Why People Still Obsess Over It
Most B&Bs feel like you're staying in someone’s spare bedroom. This feels like you own an estate.
- The Food: Historically, the "Innkeepers Dinner" was legendary. While the model has shifted toward private events, the kitchen remains a "caterer’s dream," as one recent guest, Kathy Heinz, put it.
- The Privacy: You’re only about 1.5 miles from Canandaigua Lake, but you’d never know it. No golfers, no tourists gawking at your windows, just 46 acres of silence.
- The Vibe: It’s "Old English" meets "Finger Lakes Farm."
What You Need to Know if You’re Planning a Visit
If you’re thinking about booking Morgan Samuels Bed and Breakfast for a 2026 event or stay, you need to plan way ahead. Because they do the "exclusive use" model, they only take one group at a time.
- Check the Dates: They post their 2025 and 2026 availability directly on their site. It’s first-come, first-served.
- The "Mansion Only" Option: Sometimes they offer mansion-only stays that aren't tied to a massive 250-person wedding. You have to email them directly (msivenue@gmail.com) to see if there's a gap in the calendar.
- The Drive: Don't trust every GPS. It’s on Smith Road in Canandaigua. Look for the long tree-lined drive. If you don't feel like you're entering a Narnia-style portal, you might be at the wrong house.
Honestly, the Morgan Samuels Bed and Breakfast represents a dying breed of New York hospitality. It’s not a sterile hotel. It’s a stone-and-mortar piece of history that somehow managed to survive into the modern era without losing its soul. Whether you’re there for a wedding or just a weekend retreat, you’re basically a guest in a 200-year-old story.
If you want to see the grounds without booking, your best bet is to request a tour. Liza is usually around working in the gardens, and they are pretty open to showing the place to people who actually appreciate the history and the horticulture. Just don't just show up unannounced—it’s still a private estate, after all.
Check their official "Dates Available" page first. If 2026 is already looking full, you might have to look at a Thursday or Sunday stay, which they sometimes discount. Either way, standing on that glass-enclosed stone porch with a coffee while the mist rolls off the gardens? Yeah, it’s worth the logistics.
To get started with a booking or a tour, head over to their official site and look for the "Investment" page to see the current 2026 pricing tiers for groups of 75, 150, or 225 guests. If you're looking for a smaller, private stay, your best move is to send a direct inquiry about "Mansion Only" availability during the mid-week off-season.