Eben House - A luxury inn in Provincetown, MA - New England

One of my writers had the wonderful opportunity to visit Eben House, a 1776 Home of Captain Eben Snow, that has been turned into a modernized luxury inn and I wanted to share her article with you, as seen in the fall 2015 issue of New England Fine Living magazine. 

Paradise in Provincetown

Written by Jessica Sacco for New England Fine Living 

Although it’s close to 10 p.m. by the time my friend and I pull up to Eben House, we’re awake with excitement and immediately drawn into the beauty of the inn as we step inside. Originally built in 1776, the former home of Captain Eben Snow, this newly renovated bed and breakfast is just steps away from Provincetown’s main road lined with shops, shows and of course, the beach.

Inside, soft, romantic lighting guides our way through the foyer, past a fireplace and two large mantelpieces where an abundance of wood is stacked, sure to be in use during the long winter months when the inn remains open. We head up the original, narrow staircase to the Captain’s Suite at the end of the hall, which features an adjoining living room and bathroom.

Our room is a perfect blend of old meets new, combining federal-style architecture - like the convex mirror over the bed, reminiscent of those seen in homes during that period - with modern amenities. White bedding and furniture mixed with splashes of blues, grays and black give the perfect beachy-chic feel. Everything down to the hand soap is luxurious. If there weren’t so much to see and do in town, you could be happy never getting out of bed.

Terrace Guest Room

In the morning, we make our way down to the beach-inspired glass-enclosed patio to enjoy a homemade breakfast. The chalkboard menu changes daily to describe the array of goodies spread out for guests. Before hitting the downtown, I stop to appreciate the outside courtyard, where rocking chairs and a hammock await those looking to relax on a lazy summer afternoon.

From the front, with its white façade and black shutters, Eben House may appear like any other house on the block, but in reality, it’s one of only three remaining brick homes from the colonial era. Snow used his boat to build his abode, down to the wooden floorboards and what’s believed to be bricks from the ship’s ballast.

“We don’t know whether he was a good captain or a bad captain,” joked Bowd, one of the partners of Eben House, “But our take on him is really that - him and his family - they’re all a little bit quirky because they’re here in P-town.” 

Eben House is one of three properties under partners David Bowd and Kevin O’Shea’s Salt Hotels umbrella. Salt House Inn, their first B&B, is situated just down the road, and The Chequit is located on New York’s Shelter Island.

Photos courtesy of The Eben House. Below information is from the Eben House Web site.

In 1776 Captain Eben Snow built the stately brick Federal style house that stands proudly today at 90 Bradford Street.  Over the past two centuries the house has had various owners and uses, David Fairbanks resided here in the early 1800’s and started the foundations of what would later become Seaman’s Bank in the house.  In 1976 the house was restored and opened as the David Fairbank’s House, a house museum that featured an extensive collection of early American Folk Art.  In 1985 the museum was converted to a guesthouse and has been in operation as such since then.

2015 marks a new chapter for this historic building, one of only three brick homes left from the colonial era in town.  Reopening as Eben House, and having undergone extensive restoration and modernization, the building (along with two others that have become part of the inn over the years) will set out to redefine bed and breakfast in Provincetown.

To pay homage to Captain Eben Snow and the beautiful home he bestowed upon us we have commissioned local artist Michael Gredler to interpret Captain Snow and his family in large-scale portraits painted in the style of 18th century primitive portraiture.  Each guestroom at Eben House will feature an oversized portrait of one of the family members and our guests will delight in the modern twist each portrait has been given.