Our 250th birthday is in the rearview mirror—barely so. Thankfully the bride and groom (Swift and Kelce) didn’t let the press in their wedding. As it was, thousands of words and hundreds of images of the wedding couple and their friends competed with the World Cup soccer festival for the headlines.
While many thoughtful words were used to recount American history, the hyper-polarized political environment kneecapped unity. So let me go local; history at our front door.
There is an Innkeeper—somewhere—whose foresight and ambition will be a capstone on his/her history. Most businesses are started and then sold and sold again or shut down and at the end of the day only a family historian can connect the dots. We know about Thomas Edison and General Electric or Apple and Steve Jobs, but not many businesses are summarized with a historical explanation point.
The Robert Morris Inn stands ready to be one. From its origins to its strategic and scenic location, to its prospective owner’s financial risk-taking there is a rich story in the making which will overcome generational inertia.
The Maryland Historic Trust emphasizes the Robert Morris Inn’s architectural importance and its contribution to the historic fabric of colonial Oxford. It hints of its importance in the larger Revolutionary War fabric. I suspect it has chosen to emphasize what is without question. It has chosen to avoid conflicting stories about construction details, what remains of the original building, the date of its beginning and the roles played by Robert Morris Senior and then Junior.
What is certain is that Robert Morris, whether senior or junior, were Revolutionary movers and shakers. George Washington led the rebels and he was also short of money. Money was a necessity—soldier pay and armaments led the list of bills. Evidence points to President George Washington turning to Robert Morris Jr. And then Morris using his financial acumen and standing to become his characterization—the Revolutionary Financier.
The Inn is now shuttered awaiting a modern day financier. But, more importantly, awaiting a contemporary patriot whose know-how will combine historical respect with Innkeeping savvy. What a story! What a destination!
The Inn’s rescue and health and the owner’s leadership will not be obscured. Unlike the 18th Century and the frontier tools writers used to tell and record their stories, the 21st Century tools will chronicle the new version of the old Inn and its savior.
Final thoughts. What role should Town leaders play? Should history recount a story of collaboration? Or might history record a hands-off attitude or a prescriptive one and then demolition.
The Town leaders are faced with a challenging set of circumstances. The Inn’s owner is out of money. He wants financial relief—bankruptcy is the reset.
The underlying asset—the historic Inn—is not just historic, but is also a market asset. At this point it is likely that prospective owners are waiting for a bankruptcy sale—preferring to buy at the lowest possible price.
What is the town to do? It does not own the Inn. It is not swimming in money. Some believe the prevailing view of Town leaders is to let market forces make the ultimate decision. Tear it down or fix it up.
If that is the leader’s view, I would urge them to reconsider. The failure of today’s owner or lender should not be allowed to demolish this historic site by neglect.
The 251st year since our founding should be used to creatively facilitate market forces, not be victimized by them. For example, the next owner should be able to move quickly—permit procedures should be shortened. And Town leaders should be careful to avoid substituting their views for the risk-takers ones. The Inn will need to be upgraded and updated and the new owner will be putting his/her capital and reputation on the line.
Oxford is about ten miles from Highway 50, a dominant artery of traffic. Its economic growth and associated tax revenue depend on drivers turning West at Oxford Road. Its economic growth will inevitably turn on “destination sites.” Understandably and appreciatively there will be no franchise restaurants.
Seasonally, in particular, Doc’s Sunset Grill and the Scottish Highland Creamery attract visitors. Soon the Oxford Inn will join those destination sites. The key is destination and the Robert Morris Inn can once again be a part of that attraction. The fewer destination sites the fewer people will make that necessary turn.
Interestingly until there is a new owner with new plans, the Town has its reputation on the line.
Al Sikes is the former Chair of the Federal Communications Commission under George H.W. Bush. Al writes on themes from his book, Culture Leads Leaders Follow published by Koehler Books.
23 Responses
Maybe Prager would like to buy it.
Let’s hope so. He’d do an amazing job. All of his properties in Easton are architectural and design gems. He has amazing taste and does the job right. He loves the Eastern Shore like we all do, too, so we can only hope!
Put the strand and the town park beach back to the way it was. Then more people will come. More people influences a decision and makes it possible to increase profits.
Please do not demolish such a cherished and significant landmark. As a young girl (I’m now 83) I grew up in Oxford swimming and sunbathing in the Summertime on the ferry wharf just below the Robert Morris Inn. It always made me feel so proud just to see the elegant, historic building sitting on the hill. Over the years when visiting Oxford, I always have to drive by it as it still has a special place in my heart to know I lived in a town that had such a beautiful part of colonial history. Demolishing it and replacing it with a “modern” building, our town would never be the same.
It would be terribly sad if the Robert Morris Inn was lost to future generations. I’m hoping a deep pocket history lover will come to the rescue.
Why not make it into a museum. The ferry is right there to deliver patrons to its doors.
I agree with Jill. The Commissioners should pay a visit to Mr. Pragers and politely ask for his help!
Other possibilities to explore: historic preservation grants and loan programs, enlisting the help of our state and federal representatives and leaders:
https://mht.maryland.gov/
https://savingplaces.org/we-are-saving-places
Go fund me? “Save the Robert Morris Inn” campaign?
Thank you for this piece. I agree completely. Every day a rescue is not found, finding one becomes harder. The RMI is a crisis.
Since Robert Morris Jr was known as the financier of the Revolution that led to the founding of our new nation, it seems that the nation owes a debt of get to him and should preserve his memory and Robert Morris, Senior’s home.
I would encourage the Town to also contact Preservation Maryland for assistance, and to seek grant funds from Talbot County. I should think the Oxford Yacht Club could contribute some funds as well. And how about an Oxford fund raising drive?
The repair and restoration of the Inn is an achievable goal and the building could be owned by the Town. A restored building would then be likely to entice a knowledgeable restaurateur to lease it.
I would definitely like to see the Inn stay but get some updating and repairs done. I love coming to Oxford and relaxing at the strand, get some ice cream and sit at the park and relax. The town of Oxford really needs to tryto keep the Inn.
Closure of all but one restaurant in the Town of Oxford has absolutely and unequivocally reduced the number of visitors to town. Safe Harbor Oxford transient boater visits are down roughly 38% this year compared to last, and the comments & feedback is all about the lack of places to eat and things to do. Hopefully we’ll get more restaurants open next summer, and for us, the Robert Morris is a key property since it is so close to us.
Please, please, there’s someone out there that can step up. An historic property like Robert Morris Inn should NOT be lost. The potential is amazing. We restored three houses in Oxford: one that had been in a fire, one that was never finished and the crowning jewel was the Academy House which was in terrible decay. It can be done. Preservation Maryland and other historic agencies should be consulted. And yes, big pockets are necessary but worth it. What a hero you would be!!
I live in Chestertown but have fond memories of visiting and recommending The RM
Inn. Surely, given the immense number of people with significant means in Talbot,
fundraising along with grants from Preservation Maryland and others would enable this treasure to be restored. What a gift that would be for the Talbot and
all of us on the Shore.
Mr Prager doesn’t seem to want it. ,
The town dot not have financial resources to support nor save this beloved land mark. It will take a special someone or a contingency of folks to take this on. The building needs lots of love. Us locals hope it’s saved.
It should be saved. Government financing with private donations . Schools should take a school trip there and learn it’s history
Hinckley Yacht recently purchased Bachelor Point Marina in Oxford. If Prager turns down this opportunity, why not reach out to them? It would compliment the marina by offering a historic Inn & restaurant for visitors. Another idea would be to seek grant funding to restore historic properties in Maryland.
The downside is that Oxford is a cute place to visit, but there isn’t much to attract tourists. Consider fixing the botched beach project. At best, it comes across as a mediocre science fair project—heavy on theory, light on practical knowledge, and seemingly designed by someone with plenty of academia but zero experience in actual wildlife restoration.
Ask Hinckley. Then, add the (fixed) beach & the park, Highland Creamery & Doc’s and maybe the Inn will see visitors!
As a prior owner I feel sufficiently qualified to chime in here. When we sold the Inn in February 2024 it was at worst breaking even and a vibrant and colorful addition to the county dining scene and the charming town of Oxford.
It was and still is a beautiful and historic Inn, full of wonderful imperfections, quirky character and requiring constant care and love. Over 15 years we got to know so many wonderful customers and employees who enriched our time there, and all who equally loved the old building. Yes we had issues with leaky flat roofs, rickety old windows, uneven floors and all the rest, but the bones are over 300 years old and will outlive us all.
Condeming it was utter nonesense, perhaps a political or business strategy . . . only required someone to patch the Tavern flat roof and attend to a little maintenance. If the new owner would not maybe someone else woulld have been willing to do it for the sake of the building.
Please keep politics and the town out of it altogether, encourage the bank to take it to auction where there will be no shortage of interested parties, all looking for a fire sale of course but who will breath new life into it and bring a new vision and optomism.
I am reminded of an old Joanie Mitchell song: “Don’t it always seem to go that you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone….
Surely there is enough money in Talbot County that a Save the Robert Morris Inn campaign could find a way to support the Robert Morris Inn in perpetuity!
Jane Phelan
WOW! Eighteen responses and still counting two days later. WAY to go SPY!
As a 77 year-old Oxford native [now living in Chestertown] I too have fond nostalgic memories of “The RoMo.” My first [almost] legal beer and numerous family celebrations come to mind.
Mr. Sikes mentions the great [and justifiable] successes of The Highland Creamery and Doc’s, both of which have caused traffic & parking problems angering some present Oxford residents.
It’s worth noting [as always] that expanding tourism can erode local tranquility. That quietude has always been one of Oxford’s chief draws. Current residents should decide how much is enough.
Well said! One contributor suggested that there is not much for tourist in Oxford. That is what makes Oxford the
perfect getaway and the RM Inn just the answer for a glorious weekend or dinner. An organization I belong to had a number of luncheon meeting there and it was ideal.
Please save this place! It’s so beloved.