is a true example of antebellum archtecture and real southern hospitality.
Construction on this Georgian style home, complete with colonnades (Corinthian style) began in 1855 by William Keenan. The home originally resided on 4,000 acres and was named Keenan Plantation. Today it is situated on 9 beautiful acres complete with ancient oaks and magnolia trees and is listed on the National Register of Historical Places.The mansion is a whopping 7900 square feet and includes 7 bedrooms, music room, library, parlor, library, kitchen, and a third story cupola. An additional wing of the house was used as servants' quarters, laundry area, kitchen and smokehouse. The carriage house is still intact and houses the Duncan carriage. There are plans for restoration of this building.
Unique details to the mansion include frescoed ceilings, sparkling chandeliers, mosaic tiling and a lovely curved staircase.
The name of the inn is a combination of the three families who subsequently owned the mansion. Benjamin H. Rice acquired the home in 1876 and also owned the adjacent property, Pleasant Grove. His acquisition of Merridun combined with Pleasant Grove expanded his property to 8,000 acres!
Sometime in the early 1880's, Thomas Cary Duncan, moved to Union so he could work with his grandfather, Benjamin H. Rice and in 1885 his wife, Fannie Merriman, joined him in Union. When he ultimately inherited the mansion from his grandparents, he renamed it using parts of each family name: Mer (Merriman) ri (rice) dun (Duncan).
The Inn offers five spectacular rooms, each beautifully decorated and offering its own unique setting and all reasonably priced.
You have your choice of either king or queen sized beds (one sporting a feather mattress), private bath featuring whirlpool tubs accommodating two persons, claw foot tub, spacious sitting areas, cable and VCR and private phone lines and computer jacks.
Included in the price are evening desserts and beverages and a full 3-course breakfast. Dinner is also available with prior reservations.
Please click the Culinary Cottage link on their website to take a look at Miss Fannie's Tea Room where you can experience the lovely ceremony of afternoon tea and scones. Also available are assorted tea sandwiches and desserts. Also make a note that Sunday Brunch is offered and the available dates.
Your innkeepers at Merridun are Peggy Waller and her feline friends. JD and Freckles are the resident inside-keepers of the Inn while Miss Lucy, Starbright and TC are the outside-keepers and assist Peggy in keeping all things in purrfect order.
